The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Supervise \Su`per*vise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supervised; p.
   pr. & vb. n. Supervising.] [Pref. super- + L. visere to
   look at attentively, to view, surely, intens. from videre,
   visum, to see. Cf. Survise, and Survey.]
   1. To oversee for direction; to superintend; to inspect with
      authority; as, to supervise the construction of a steam
      engine, or the printing of a book.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To look over so as to read; to peruse. [Obs.] --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: See Superintend.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Supervise \Su`per*vise"\, n.
   Supervision; inspection. [Obs.]
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

supervise
    v 1: watch and direct; "Who is overseeing this project?" [syn:
         oversee, supervise, superintend, manage]
    2: keep tabs on; keep an eye on; keep under surveillance; "we
       are monitoring the air quality"; "the police monitor the
       suspect's moves" [syn: monitor, supervise]