Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To keep under surveillance.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb transitive, nonstandard To keep someone or something under surveillance.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb keep under surveillance

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Back-formation from surveillance.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Back-formation from surveillance. More at survey.

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Examples

Comments

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  • hideous backformation from surveillance; an abomination.

    November 12, 2007

  • But is there a better original word? Observe? Survey? They don't carry the same semi-legal connotations. A welcome addition!

    November 12, 2007

  • yarb: Just because you make intelligent reasoned arguments (which you do) doesn't mean I have to like the world.

    (Retreats into grouchy, reactionary sulk).

    November 12, 2007

  • I like this word, but I am a sucker for spy shows.

    November 13, 2007