different between survey vs oversee

English

Etymology

From Middle English surveyen, from Old French sourveoir, surveer (“to oversee”), from sour-, sur- (“over”) + veoir, veeir (“to see”), from Latin videre. See sur- and vision.

Pronunciation

• (noun):
  • (UK) IPA^(key): /?s??ve?/, (obsolete) /s??ve?/
  • (US) enPR: sûr?v?, IPA^(key): /?s?ve?/, (obsolete) /s??ve?/
  • The noun was formerly accented on the last syllable, like the verb.
• Rhymes: -??(?)ve?
• (verb):
  • (UK) IPA^(key): /s??ve?/
  • (US) enPR: s?r-v??, IPA^(key): /s??ve?/
• Rhymes: -e?

Noun

survey (plural surveys)

1. The act of surveying; a general view.
   • 1642, John Denham, Cooper's Hill

     Under his proud survey the city lies.

2. A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of a particular group of items, in order to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality.

3. The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of any part of the Earth's surface.
4. A measured plan and description of any portion of country.

5. An examination of the opinions of a group of people.

6. A questionnaire or similar instrument used for examining the opinions of a group of people.

7. (historical) An auction at which a farm is let for three lives.
8. (US) A district for the collection of customs under a particular officer.

Synonyms

• (act of surveying): prospect, surveil
• (particular view): review

Derived terms

• Ordnance Survey
• trigonometric survey

Translations

Verb

survey (third-person singular simple present surveys, present participle surveying, simple past and past participle surveyed)

1. To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook
2. To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
3. To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of

4. To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurements, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry
5. To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.
   • 1713, Giles Jacob, The Complete Court-keeper: Or, Land-steward's Assistant

     all the Tenants Leases and Copies are surveyed

6. To investigate the opinions, experiences, etc., of people by asking them questions; to conduct a survey; to administer a questionnaire.

Derived terms

• king of all one surveys
• surveying
• surveyal
• surveyance
• surveyee
• surveyor

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English overseen, ouverseen, from Old English ofers?on (“to observe, oversee; to overlook, neglect”), equivalent to over- +? see.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??v?(?)si?/
• Hyphenation: over?see
• Rhymes: -i?
• Homophone: oversea

Verb

oversee (third-person singular simple present oversees, present participle overseeing, simple past oversaw, past participle overseen) (transitive)

1. (literally) To survey, look at something in a wide angle.
2. (figuratively) To supervise, guide, review or direct the actions of a person or group.

   Synonym: superintend

   It is congress's duty to oversee the spending of federal funds.

3. To inspect, examine

   Gamekeepers oversee a hunting ground to see to the wildlife's welfare and look for poachers.

4. (obsolete) To fail to see; to overlook, ignore.
5. To observe secretly or unintentionally.

Derived terms

• overseer
• oversight

Translations

See also

• overlook
• overwatch

Anagrams

• see over