espy Meaning, Definition & Usage

Es*py" transitive verb

Etymology

OF. espier, F. épier, from OHG. spehn to watch, spy, G. spähen; akin to L. specere to look, species sight, shape, appearance, kind. See Spice, Spy, and cf. Espionage.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Espied ; present participle & verbal noun Espying

Definitions

1. To catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; to discover, as a distant object partly concealed, or not obvious to notice; to see at a glance; to discern unexpectedly; to spy; as, to espy land; to espy a man in a crowd.

   As one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, . . . he espied his money. Gen. xlii. 27.

   A goodly vessel did I then espy Come like a giant from a haven broad. Wordsworth.

2. To inspect narrowly; to examine and keep watch upon; to watch; to observe.

   He sends angels to espy us in all our ways. Jer. Taylor.

   Syn. -- To discern; discover; detect; descry; spy.

Es*py" intransitive verb

Definitions

1. To look or search narrowly; to look about; to watch; to take notice; to spy.

   Stand by the way, and espy. Jer. xlviii. 19.

Es*py" noun

Etymology

OF. espie. See Espy, v., Spy.

Wordforms

plural Espies

Definitions

1. A spy; a scout. Obs. Huloet.