surveillance

Definitions

From French surveiller: sur- ('over, from above') + veiller ('to watch,' the French descendant of Latin vigilāre, keep watch) + -ance (noun) = 'watching from above.' That top-down image became its modern sense: institutional, often covert monitoring. Note: the -veill- here is from vigil (keep watch), NOT from vidēre 'to see' (vis) — surveillance is a cousin of vigilant.

Common Collocations

• 1.under surveillance处于监视之下
• 2.surveillance camera监控摄像头
• 3.mass surveillance大规模监控
• 4.surveillance system监控系统
• 5.place sb under surveillance对某人实施监视

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The suspect was kept under constant surveillance.

• 2.

  Surveillance cameras cover every entrance to the building.

• 3.

  Critics warned that the law would expand mass surveillance.

Easily Confused

surveillance vs monitoring — surveillance implies close, often covert watching for security or suspicion (police surveillance); monitoring is neutral, ongoing checking of data or conditions (monitoring blood pressure, monitoring traffic). If there is suspicion or secrecy, it is surveillance.