Definition of survey:
(n) :
the act of surveying; a general view, as from above; a particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of all the parts or particulars of a thing, with a design to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality; as, a survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings
"Under his proud survey the city lies." -Sir J. Denham.
(v) :
to
inspect, or take a view of; to
view with attention, as from a high place; to
overlook; as, to stand on a hill, and survey the surrounding country; to view with a scrutinizing eye; to
examine
"Round he surveys and well might, where he stood, So high above." -Milton.