Spy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Spying.] [OE. spien, espien, OF. espier, F. 'epier, OHG. spehn, G. spahen; 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.
© Webster 1913.
Spy, v. i.
To search narrowly; to scrutinize.
It is my nature's plague
To spy into abuses.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.