Round he surveys and well might, where he stood, So
high above. --Milton.
2. To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
With such altered looks, . . . All pale and
speechless, he surveyed me round. --Dryden.
3. To examine with reference to condition, situation, value,
etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of; as, to survey
a building in order to determine its value and exposure to
loss by fire.
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 measurments, and the application of the
principles of geometry and trigonometry; as, to survey
land or a coast.
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. [Eng.] --Jacob (Law Dict.).
{Geodetic surveying}, geodesy.
{Maritime}, or {Nautical}, {surveying}, that branch of
surveying which determines the forms of coasts and
harbors, the entrances of rivers, with the position of
islands, rocks, and shoals, the depth of water, etc.
{Plane surveying}. See under {Plane}, a.
{Topographical surveying}, that branch of surveying which
involves the process of ascertaining and representing upon
a plane surface the contour, physical features, etc., of
any portion of the surface of the earth.