Spy

[spaɪ]

Definition

(noun.) (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors.

(noun.) a secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people; 'my spies tell me that you had a good time last night'.

(verb.) secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage; 'spy for the Russians'.

(verb.) watch, observe, or inquire secretly.

(verb.) catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; 'he caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge'.

Typed by Judy--From WordNet

Definition

(v. t.) To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.

(v. t.) To discover by close search or examination.

(v. t.) To explore; to view; inspect; and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out.

(v. i.) To search narrowly; to scrutinize.

(n.) One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others.

(n.) 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.

Editor: Lyle

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. Scout, emissary (in disguise), secret agent.

v. a. See, behold, discern, espy.

Typist: Steven

Synonyms and Antonyms

SYN: espy, discern, discover, explore, view, inspect

ANT:Miss, overlook, misexplore, misobserve

SYN:Emissary, detective, scout

ANT:Sentinel, watchman, warder, patrol

Checked by Dylan

Definition

n. one sent into an enemy's country or camp to find out their strength &c.: one who keeps a watch on others: one who secretly conveys information.—v.t. to see: to discover generally at a distance: to discover by close search: to inspect secretly:—pa.t. and pa.p. spied.—ns. Spy′al,=Spial; Spy′-craft Spy′ism the art or practice of spying; Spy′glass a small hand-telescope; Spy′-hole a peep-hole; Spy′-mon′ey money paid for secret intelligence."

Checked by Cathy

Unserious Contents or Definition

To dream that spies are harassing you, denotes dangerous quarrels and uneasiness. To dream that you are a spy, denotes that you will make unfortunate ventures.

Checked by Janice

Examples

The Spy withdrew, and Carton seated himself at the table, resting his forehead on his hands. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
With this you may discover the spy among you, he said. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
Unseen by the spy, Mr. Cruncher stood at his side, and touched him on the shoulder like a ghostly bailiff. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
Asks his mother to become, with him, a spy upon his father's transactions through a lifetime! Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
You need have good cards, sir, said the spy. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
Sheep was a cant word of the time for a spy, under the gaolers. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
Old Bailey spy, returned his informant. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
The thern spies were not in the palace of John Carter for nothing, said Kantos Kan to me. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
Of all that mighty host, none but the two faithful spies ever lived to set their feet in the Promised Land. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
Spies and thieves! Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Then he had what was left of it carried to his own house; but even here spies swarmed to try to learn something of his secret. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
If a gentleman was the victim of spies, intruders, and informers (but still naming no names), that was his own pleasure. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
Spies are hovering about in every direction. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
Even spies could not get near him, on account of the undergrowth and overflowed lands. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
If we are to be prying and spying into all the dismals of life, we should have no heart to anything. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Shirley flashed him back full payment for his spying gaze. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
He had spoken all in a low whisper, evidently fearing spying ears even here, and so I answered him in the same subdued tone. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
At last she gave up her spying attitude, closed the telescope, and turned to the decaying embers. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
Spying, informing, constant investigations of everybody and everything must become the rule where there is a forcible attempt to moralize society from the top. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
Caught you spying, did I? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
Shouting in alarm, the four took to their heels, and then the black spied Tarzan. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
I made all the sail I could, and in half an hour she spied me, then hung out her ancient, and discharged a gun. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
The latter quickly spied out the magnificence of the brocade of Becky's train, and the splendour of the lace on her dress. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
One of them spied me, and gave notice to the rest; five of them advanced toward me, leaving the women and children at the fire. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
So it was that he spied Tarzan as the boy emerged from the clawing, pushing throng with that hairy forearm hugged firmly to his body. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
I spied it at once, amidst all the rest; the handwriting was not strange; it attracted me directly. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
Presently one of the crew spied the approaching Claytons, and with a cry of: Here's two more for the fishes, rushed toward them with uplifted ax. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.

Checked by Archie