surveillance
[ser-vey-luh ns, -veyl-yuh ns]
- a watch kept over a person, group, etc., especially over a suspect, prisoner, or the like: The suspects were under police surveillance.
- continuous observation of a place, person, group, or ongoing activity in order to gather information: video cameras used for covert surveillance.See also electronic surveillance.
- attentive observation, as to oversee and direct someone or something: increased surveillance of patients with chronic liver disease.
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Origin of surveillance
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for surveillance
Contemporary Examples
These include having his personal guards conduct 24-hour surveillance outside her home, according to affidavits.
A surveillance video shows the radio car driving directly into the park, just feet from the youngster.
A senior Pentagon official agreed that there is a shortage of surveillance planes needed to track down ISIS.
They were both caught on surveillance camera outside of Watch Standard.
How to Get Away With Stealing $2 Million in Jewelry in the Heart of New YorkJohn Surico
November 13, 2014
According to reports, he received several standing ovations by railing against the government's surveillance programs.
Historical Examples
It was only during a pause for breath that he became aware of the surveillance.
The Fortune HunterLouis Joseph Vance
Was it the consciousness of this surveillance that made every one keep the house?
A Day's RideCharles James Lever
It was the citoyen Beauvisage, of the Committee of Surveillance.
The Gods are AthirstAnatole France
After awhile, he became conscious that he was under a sort of surveillance.
White LiesCharles Reade
And then, released from surveillance, exhausted in mind and body—he fell again.
The Lowest RungMary Cholmondeley
surveillance
- close observation or supervision maintained over a person, group, etc, esp one in custody or under suspicion
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Word Origin
C19: from French, from surveiller to watch over, from sur- 1 + veiller to keep watch (from Latin vigilāre; see vigil)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for surveillance
n.
1802, from French surveillance "oversight, supervision, a watch," noun of action from surveiller "oversee, watch," from sur- "over" + veiller "to watch," from Latin vigilare, from vigil "watchful" (see vigil). Seemingly a word of the Terror in France.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
surveillance
(sər-vā′ləns)- Close observation of a person or group, especially one under suspicion.
- The act of observing or the condition of being observed.
- The collection, collation, analysis, and dissemination of data.
- A type of observational study that involves continuous monitoring of disease occurrence within a population.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.