surveillance Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun close observation of a person or group (usually by the police)

WordNet

Sur*veil"lance noun
Etymology
F., fr. surveiller to watch over; sur over + veiller to watch, L. vigilare. See Sur-, and Vigil.
Definitions
  1. Oversight; watch; inspection; supervision.
    That sort of surveillance of which . . . the young have accused the old. Sir W. Scott.

Webster 1913