Forms: see prec. [f. prec.]
1. trans. To take a general view of, to view as a whole (with the eyes or mind); = SURVEY v. 4, 4 b; also, to command a view of, overlook; in weakened sense, to look upon, behold (cf. SURVEY v. 4 c). Obs. or arch.
1567. Drant, Horace, Ep. Arte Poet., B ij. If that the matter in the mynde thou wilte before surview. Ibid., xvi. E vij. The declining sonne that doth the fieldes surview.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Feb., 145. Yt chaunced … The Husbandman selfe to come that way, Of custome for to seruewe his grownd. Ibid. (1590), F. Q., II. ix. 45. That Turrets frame … lifted high aboue this earthly masse, Which it survew’d.
1592. Greene, Disput., 21. I spared no glaunces to suruiew all with a curious eye-fauour.
1621. G. Sandys, Ovid’s Met., XI. (1626), 238. All done in Heauen, Earth, Ocean, Fame suruiews.
1628. World Encomp. by Sir F. Drake, 9. The people … gaue vs leaue … to take our pleasure in suruewing the Iland.
1855. Bailey, Mystic, 21. The dragon king, world-lifed, who saw The first, and will the last of gods surview.
† 2. To examine, inspect; = SURVEY v. 1, 3.
1601. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw. (1603), 53. When these yong lads are brought to Constantinople, they are surviewed by the captaine of the Ianizars.
1625. in Cosin’s Corr. (Surtees), I. 51. The College of Enquisitors … that must be for surviewing books.
Hence † Surviewer, a surveyor, supervisor.
1783. Waldron, Contn. B. Jonson’s Sad Sheph., v. 106. The maid I’ll wed; make Lorel o’er my flocks … Surviewer.
