catch sight of

watch, observe, or inquire secretly

a secret agent hired by a state to obtain ( military) information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors

a secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people; " my spies tell me that you had a good time last night"

secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage; " spy for the Russians"

( military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors

To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.

To discover by close search or examination.

To explore; to view; inspect; and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out.

To search narrowly; to scrutinize.

One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others.

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.

To discover, especially at a distance; discover by looking carefully; detect; explore secretly.

To examine narrowly; keep watch secretly: often with on or upon.

Spied.

Spying.

One sent into an enemy's country or camp to find out their strength, etc.: one who keeps a watch on others: one who secretly conveys information.

To see: to discover, generally at a distance: to discover by close search: to inspect secretly:- pa. t. and pa. p. spied.

One who secretly inspects an enemy's camp or country; one who watches or pries into the affairs of others. esp. By sharp sight or close observation; to inspect secretly.

To play the spy.

To see by looking carefully or secretly; discover; discern.

To act as a spy; investigate; pry.

One who enters an enemy's lines covertly to get information.

One who watches others secretly.

A person sent into an enemy's camp to watch and report what is going on; one set to watch or one who watches the conduct of others.

To see; to discover at a distance or in a state of concealment; to examine secretly; to explore.

One who secretly watches the conduct, condition, actions, & c., of a person, in order to report them to another; a secret agent; one who secretly conveys the transactions of others; a secret agent; one who secretly conveys the transactions of others.

To discover at a distance; to gain sight of; to inspect or examine secretly; to find out by artifice; to play the spy.

As to the spy upon his actions, that was plain enough. – The Parson O' Dumford by George Manville Fenn

" Tell her yourself," said Lucy; and when, after breakfast, Lenora, anxious to spy out everything, appeared in the kitchen, Aunt Polly called out, " Did you hear anything last night, Miss Lenora?" – Homestead on the Hillside by Mary Jane Holmes

Oh, but he wasn't a thief, he wasn't a spy. – The Tin Soldier by Temple Bailey

" The time is short, Evremonde," said the Spy, in a warning voice. – A Tale of Two Cities A Story of the French Revolution by Charles Dickens

Spy or no spy, we done that man wrong. – Judith of the Cumberlands by Alice MacGowan

If he went ashore, he would be taken to the guard- house, questioned, probably put into prison, perhaps tried as a spy. – Winning His Way by Charles Carleton Coffin

2 to 17. Why were these people sent to spy out the land? – The Bible: what it is by Charles Bradlaugh

Danger is near," thought the spy. – A Struggle for Rome, Vol. 2 (of 3) by Felix Dahn

She blushed, she became nervous and confused, and to the old people these were plain signs of guilt- guilt of some fearful sort or other- without doubt she was a spy and a traitor. – The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg and Other Stories by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) Last Updated: February 18, 2009

Jackal was to take the lead to act as spy, and when he was able to draw Lion to one side, he said to him: See here, I do not trust this affair one bit, and I want to tell you straight out, I am going to make tracks! – South-African Folk-Tales by James A. Honey

I tell you he's a spy, general. – Steve Yeager by William MacLeod Raine

We know this Gledware is a spy, whatever he says, and that he brought the kid along for protection. – Lahoma by John Breckinridge Ellis

To her knowledge she had never seen this woman before, but she knew enough of the times they lived in to be sure that she was a spy of the priests. – Lysbeth A Tale Of The Dutch by H. Rider Haggard

With my spy- glass I recognized some of the Gyanema men. – An Explorer's Adventures in Tibet by A. Henry Savage Landor

And, Mrs. Bonner, you think that girl is a spy? – The Imaginary Marriage by Henry St. John Cooper

Just what would you have us settle, spy? – Evil Out of Onzar by Mark Ganes

Every body knows how to play " I spy." – Remarks by Bill Nye

" I wonder why Frank don't send some one out to act as a spy," said Charles. – Frank, the Young Naturalist by Harry Castlemon

Perhaps he had a spy- glass, too! – Patsy by S. R. Crockett

And I am not a spy. – The Abandoned Room by Wadsworth Camp