Superintend

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Superintend \Su`per*in*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     {Superintended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Superintending}.] [L.
     superintendere. See {Super-}, and {Intend}.]
     To have or exercise the charge and oversight of; to oversee
     with the power of direction; to take care of with authority;
     to supervise; as, an officer superintends the building of a


     ship or the construction of a fort.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           The king may appoint a council, who may superintend the
           works of this nature.                    --Bacon.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: {Superintend}, {Supervise}.
  
     Usage: These words in general use are the synonymous. As
            sometimes used, supervise implies the more general,
            and superintend, the more particular and constant,
            inspection or direction. Among architects there is a
            disposition to use the word supervise in the sense of
            a general oversight of the main points of construction
            with reference to the design, etc., and to employ the
            word superintend to signify a constant, careful
            attention to all the details of construction. But this
            technical distinction is not firmly established.
            [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  superintend
       v : watch and direct; "Who is overseeing this project?" [syn: {oversee},
            {supervise}, {manage}]