Some companies send out surveys to find out what people like or don't like about their products and services. Gallup does surveys to see what people think about various issues. Some researchers conduct surveys to try to determine trends in the thought, belief, or response patterns of certain kinds of human beings.

Lots of campus groups conduct surveys which are worthless from a statistical point of view, and only serve to decrease the total amount of knowledge in the world, and support ill-defined/incorrect conclusions. Some of the "campus faith groups" at my college send out poor schmucks to stand outside all day and ask people to fill out "surveys", which ask the participants if they believe in God/believe the Bible/go to church/etc., as well as ask for their name, address and phone number (for the 'free bike raffle' or some such); then some weeks later, everyone dumb enough to leave their number gets plagued by incessant phone calls asking whether they'd like to come to a church service, or attend a Fun Social Event being held at a church.

The first time I ever took a multiple choice survey, it was the happiest day of my life. For once, I could bubble in two answers for the same question, and not face the consequences of losing points on a test. I'd been longing to do that since the third grade.

Sur*vey" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surveyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Surveying.] [OF. surveoir, surveer; sur, sor, over, E. sur + veoir, veeir, to see, F. voir, L. videre. See Sur-, and Vision, and cf. Supervise.]

1.

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.

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.).

© Webster 1913.

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Sur"vey (?), n. [Formerly accentuated universally on the last syllable, and still so accented by many speakers.]

1.

The act of surveying; a general view, as from above.

Under his proud survey the city lies. Sir J. Denham.

2.

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.

3.

The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of, as any part of the earth's surface, whether land or water; also, a measured plan and description of any portion of country, or of a road or line through it.

Survey of dogs. See Court of regard, under Regard. -- Trigonometrical survey, a survey of a portion of country by measuring a single base, and connecting it with various points in the tract surveyed by a series of triangles, the angles of which are carefully measured, the relative positions and distances of all parts being computed from these data.

Syn. -- Review; retrospect; examination; prospect.

© Webster 1913.