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Where does the word "surveillance" come from? It comes from French surveiller, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).
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Where does the word "surveillance" come from? It comes from French surveiller, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).
Surveillance’s story begins in French: surveiller meant “to watch over.” To watch over, from sur (over) and veiller (to watch). It reached English by 1800s as surveillance. Settled as the word for close observation, especially of a suspected person. Today, surveillance means close observation of a person, group, or place, especially by authorities.
- Stage 1 · French · 1700s surveiller "to watch over", to watch over, from sur (over) and veiller (to watch).
- Stage 2 · English · 1800s surveillance "close observation of a person or place", settled as the word for close observation, especially of a suspected person.