Sekirov Dictionary

espy

UK /ɪˈspaɪ/US /əˈspaɪ/

verb 5
noun 3
forms 7

verb5

•
To find out or observe (someone or something, especially if not easy to see) by spying or looking; to catch sight of; to see; to spot.
- No wyse man entreth in to a gardein but he sone espiethe good herbes from nettiles, and treadeth the nettiles under his feete whiles he gadreth good herbes. — 1531
•
To see (someone or something) without foreplanning or unexpectedly.
- Come on my Lords the better foot before, / Straight vvill I bring you to the lothsome pit, / VVhere I espied the Panther fast a sleepe. — 1588
•
(no longer used) To become aware of (a fact, information, etc.).
- VVhat faults soever Thou espiest here, / Fall to, and make thee merry vvith the Cheer. — 1648
•
(no longer used) To observe (someone or something) as a spy; also, to examine or observe (someone or something) carefully; or to look out or watch for.
- Novv question me no more vve are espied, / Here comes a parcell of our hopefull bootie, / VVhich dreads not yet their liues destruction. — 1588
•
(no longer used) To observe as a spy, to spy; also, to examine or observe carefully; or to look out or watch.
- O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espie; aske him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, VVhat is done? — 1611

noun3

(no longer used) An act of finding out or observing by spying or looking; an espial or espying.
(no longer used) The act or process of learning secret information through clandestine means; espionage.
•
(no longer used) A scout or spy.
- Hobomak as confidently assured vs it was false, and sent his vvife as an espy to see; […] — 1624

forms

espied · espying · espies · espieth · espyeth · espiest · espyest

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