11 results for: Espy

es·py Audio Help (ĭ-spī') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. es·pied, es·py·ing, es·pies
To catch sight of (something distant, partially hidden, or obscure); glimpse. See Synonyms at see¹.

[Middle English espien, from Old French espier, to watch, of Germanic origin; see spek- in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

espy
verb
catch sight of [syn: descry]

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Espy Audio Help (ěs'pē) Pronunciation Key
American meteorologist who is credited with the first correct explanation of the role heat plays in cloud formation and growth. His use of the telegraph in relaying meteorological observations and tracking storms laid the foundation for modern weather forecasting.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Espy, PA (CDP, FIPS 24088) Location: 41.00500 N, 76.41769 W
Population (1990): 1430 (655 housing units)
Area: 2.4 sq km (land), 0.4 sq km (water)

U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Espy

Es*pi"al\, n. [OE. & Norm. F. espiaille. See Espy.]

1. The act of espying; notice; discovery.

Screened from espial by the jutting cape. --Byron.

2. One who espies; a spy; a scout. [Obs.] "Their espials . . . brought word." --Holland.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Espy

Es"pi*o*nage\ (?; 277), n. [F. espionnage, fr. espionner to spy, fr. espion spy, OF. espie. See Espy.] The practice or employment of spies; the practice of watching the words and conduct of others, to make discoveries, as spies or secret emissaries; secret watching.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Espy

Es*py"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Espied; p. pr. & vb. n. Espying.] [OF. espier, F. ['e]pier, from OHG. speh?n to watch, spy, G. sp["a]hen; akin to L. specere to look, species sight, shape, appearance, kind. See Spice, Spy, and cf. Espionage.]

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.

Dictionary.com Word of the Day Archive - Cite This Source - Share This

espy

espy was Word of the Day on February 5, 2000.

Dictionary.com Word of the Day

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