spy

spy
spy [spī]
vt.
spied, spying [ME spien < OFr espier < OHG spehōn, to search out, examine < IE base * spek̑-, to spy, watch closely > L specere, to see, Sans spaśati, (he) sees, Gr skopein, to observe]
1. to watch or observe closely and secretly, usually with unfriendly purpose: often with out
2. to catch sight of; make out; perceive; see
vi.
1. to watch or observe closely and secretly; specif., to act as a spy
2. to make a close examination or careful inspection
n.
pl. spies
1. a person who keeps close and secret watch on another or others
☆ 2. a person employed by a government to get secret information about or monitor the affairs, plans, armed forces, etc. of another government
3. a person employed by a company, as in industry or commerce, to discover the business secrets of another company
4. Now Rare an act of spying
adj.
1. of or about spies or espionage
2. used for purposes of military espionage [spy plane, spy satellite]
——————
spy out
to discover or seek to discover by close observation, inspection, etc.

English World dictionary. . 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:
, (in disguise), / , , , , / , , / , , , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Spy — L élise St Amand (1900) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • SPY — may refer to: * SPY (spiders), ticker symbol for Standard Poor s Depositary Receipts * SPY (magazine), a satirical monthly, trademarked all caps * SPY (Ivory Coast), airport code for San Pédro, Côte d Ivoire * SPY (Ship Planning Yard), a U.S.… …   Wikipedia

  • Spy-fi — is a genre of spy fiction that includes elements of science fiction. It often uses a secret agent or superspy whose mission is a showcase of science fiction elements such as technology and ideas used for extortion, plots for world domination or… …   Wikipedia

  • Spy — Spy, n.; pl. {Spies} (sp[imac]z). [See {Spy}, v., and cf. {Espy}, n.] 1. One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. These wretched spies of wit. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. (Mil.) A person sent secretly into an enemy s camp, territory …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spy — mid 13c., from O.Fr. espier to spy, espie a spy, probably from Frankish *spehon, from P.Gmc. *spekh (Cf. O.H.G. *spehon to look out for, scout, spy, Ger. spähen to spy, M.Du. spien), the Gmc. survivals of the productive PIE root *spek to look… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Spy — (sp[imac]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spied} (sp[imac]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Spying}.] [OE. spien, espien, OF. espier, F. [ e]pier, OHG. speh[=o]n, G. sp[ a]hen; akin to L. specere to see, Skr. spa[,c]. [root] 169. Cf. {Espy}, v. t., {Aspect}, {Auspice} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spy — ► NOUN (pl. spies) 1) a person employed to collect and report secret information on an enemy or competitor. 2) a person or device that observes others secretly. ► VERB (spies, spied) 1) be a spy. 2) ( …   English terms dictionary

  • Spy — Spy, v. i. To search narrowly; to scrutinize. [1913 Webster] It is my nature s plague To spy into abuses. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Spy — steht für: Spy (Jemeppe sur Sambre), einen Ortsteil der belgischen Gemeinde Jemeppe sur Sambre Leslie Ward (1851–1922), besser bekannt als Spy, britischer Karikaturist und Maler Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unterscheidung mehrerer …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • spy — I noun agent, detective, emissarius, explorator, informant, informer, intelligence agent, intelligencer, investigator, lookout, observer, reconnoiterer, reporter, scout, secret agent, sleuth, snoop, snooper, source, speculator, undercover agent,… …   Law dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”