Surveying (/sɜ:rˈveɪɪŋ/) is the process of measuring and mapping an area of land. The word is spelled with the letter "v" instead of "u" because it is derived from the French word "surveier", which had a similar spelling. The pronunciation of the word includes stress on the second syllable and a long "a" sound in the first syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for surveying is /sɜ:rˈveɪɪŋ/ and can help in correctly pronouncing this important technical term in the field of land measurement and mapping.
Surveying is the process of measuring and mapping the Earth's physical features, dimensions, and boundaries, either on the surface or underwater, in order to gather accurate and detailed information for various purposes. It encompasses the use of specialized equipment, techniques, and mathematical calculations to determine distances, angles, elevations, and positions of objects and points of interest.
Surveying serves a wide range of applications, such as land surveying for the purpose of property boundaries, topographic surveying to gather data about the natural and man-made features of a specific area, construction surveying to provide precise measurements and layouts for building projects, and engineering surveying for the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure like roads, bridges, and pipelines.
The surveying process typically involves procedures such as reconnaissance, establishing control points, taking measurements using instruments like total stations or Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and creating accurate maps or plans based on the collected data. These maps or plans are used by architects, engineers, land developers, and government agencies to make informed decisions about land use, construction projects, land valuation, property ownership, and legal disputes.
Surveying requires a strong understanding of geometry and trigonometry, as well as knowledge of applicable laws and regulations. Precision and accuracy are essential in surveying, as even small errors can lead to significant consequences. Modern surveying techniques may involve the use of computer software and advanced technologies like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or drones to enhance data collection and processing.
The act or art of measuring land, laying down tracks, taking the bearings of objects, &c., in any district of country.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "surveying" originated from the Middle English term "sorveien" or "soureueien", which came from the Old French word "surveier". In turn, "surveier" can be traced back to the Latin word "supervidere", where "super" means over or above, and "videre" means to see. The term "supervidere" referred to overseeing, examining, or watching something from a higher viewpoint. Over time, this word evolved into "survey" and "surveying", which specifically referred to the practice of measuring and mapping land areas.