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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Spy

Spÿ, n.

noun

[See Espy.] 1. One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. “These wretched spies of wit.” Dryden.

  1. (Mil.) A person sent into an enemy’s camp to inspect their works, ascertain their strength or their movements, and secretly communicate intelligence to the proper officer.
  2. The pilot of a vessel. [Obs.]

Syn.—See Emissary.

Spy, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. SPIED; p. pr. & vb. n. SPYING.] [See ESPY, v. t.]

Sense 1. 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.

Sense 2. To discover by close search or examination.

Look about with your eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England. Latimer.

Sense 3. To explore; to view, inspect, and examine secretly; as a country;—usually with out.

Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof. Num. xxi. 32.

Spy, v. i.

verbintransitive

To search narrowly; to scrutinize.

*It is my nature's plague To spy into abuse. Shak.*