Spy \Spy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spied; p. pr. & vb. n.
Spying.]
[OE. spien, espien, OF. espier, F. ['e]pier, OHG.
speh?n, G. sp["a]hen; akin to L. specere to see, Skr. spa(?).
? 169. Cf. Espy, v.t., Aspect, Auspice, Circumspect,
Conspicuouc, Despise, Frontispiece, Inspect,
Prospect, Respite, Scope, Scecimen, 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.
One in reading, skipped over all sentences where he
spied a note of admiration. --Swift.
2. To discover by close search or examination.
Look about with yout eyes; spy what things are to be
reformed in the church of England. --Latimer.
3. To explore; to view; inspect; and examine secretly, as a
country; -- usually with out.
Moses sent to spy Jaazer, and they took the villages
thereof. --Num. xxi.
32.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Spy \Spy\, n.; pl. Spies. [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.
2. (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.
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.
Syn: See Emissary, and Scout.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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