Verb

(supervis)

To direct, manage, or oversee; to be in charge

*, chapter=19

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=Nothing was too small to receive attention, if a supervising eye could suggest improvements likely to conduce to the common welfare. Mr. Gordon Burnage, for instance, personally visited dust-bins and back premises, accompanied by a sort of village bailiff, going his round like a commanding officer doing billets.}}

(obsolete) To look over so as to read; to peruse.

* 1590 , , IV. ii. 120:

Let me supervise the canzonet.

Verb

(transitive)

(literally) To survey, look at something in a wide angle.

(figuratively) To supervise, guide, review or direct the actions of a person or group.

It is congress's duty to oversee the spending of federal funds.

To inspect, examine

Gamekeepers oversee a hunting ground to see to the wildlife's welfare and look for poachers.

(obsolete) To fail to see; to overlook, ignore.

* , II.ix:

Thereat the Elfe did blush in priuitee, / And turnd his face away; but she the same / Dissembled faire, and faynd to ouersee .

To observe secretly or unintentionally.