surveillance
English meaning: Surveillance
Definition
Close observation of an individual or group; person or persons under suspicion.
Example
“The suspect was kept under round-the-clock surveillance.”
Another example: “Critics warn that mass surveillance threatens personal privacy.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A formal noun for close observation or monitoring of people, places, or activity, especially by police, security services, or cameras ('under surveillance', 'CCTV surveillance'). Note the spelling and pronunciation (sur-VAY-lance).
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From French 'surveillance', from 'surveiller' (to watch over), from 'sur-' (over) plus 'veiller' (to watch), from Latin 'vigilare'; early 19th century.
Synonyms
- observation
- monitoring
- watch
- scrutiny
- reconnaissance
Related Words
- isr
- nsa
- radar
- reconnaissance
- unmanned
- airspace
- privacy
- monitoring
- tracking
- intelligence
Common Collocations
- under surveillance
- mass surveillance
- video surveillance
- surveillance camera
- keep under surveillance
- electronic surveillance
Word Forms
surveillance (n); surveil (v)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B