GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Spy , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spied ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spying.] [OE. spien, espien, OF. espier, F. épier, OHG. spehōn, G. spähen; akin to L. specere to see, Skr. spaç. √ 169. Cf. Espy, v. t., Aspect, Auspice, Circumspect, Conspicuous, Despise, Frontispiece, Inspect, Prospect, Respite, Scope, Specimen, Spectacle, Specter, Speculate, Spice, Spite, Suspicion.]
   To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.
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   One, in reading, skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of admiration.
   Swift.
   
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   To discover by close search or examination.
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   Look about with your eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England.
   Latimer.
   
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   To explore; to view, inspect, and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out.
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   Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof.
   Num. xxi. 32.
   
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2.       
   Spy, v. i. To search narrowly; to scrutinize.
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   It is my nature's plague
   To spy into abuses.
   Shak.
   
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3.       
   Spy, n.; pl. Spies . [See Spy, v., and cf. Espy, n.]
   One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. “These wretched spies of wit.” 
   Dryden.
   
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   (Mil.) A person sent secretly into an enemy's camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer.
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   Spy money, money paid to a spy; the reward for private or secret intelligence regarding the enemy. -- Spy Wednesday (Eccl.), the Wednesday immediately preceding the festival of Easter; -- so called in allusion to the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot.
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   Syn. -- See Emissary, and Scout.
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