eavesdrop
Use Eavesdrop in a sentence
verb (used without object)
1.
to listen secretly to a private conversation.
verb (used with object)
2.
Archaic. to eavesdrop on.
noun Also, eaves·drip [eevz-drip] .
[eevz-drip] . 3.
water that drips from the eaves.
4.
the ground on which such water falls.
Origin:
before 900; (noun) Middle English evesdrope, evesdripe, Old English yfesdrype; as v., probably back formation from eavesdropper, late Middle English evisdroppyr, apparently literally, one who stands on the eavesdrop in order to listen to conversations inside the house; see eave, drop, drip
before 900; (noun) Middle English evesdrope, evesdripe, Old English yfesdrype; as v., probably back formation from eavesdropper, late Middle English evisdroppyr, apparently literally, one who stands on the eavesdrop in order to listen to conversations inside the house; see eave, drop, drip
Related forms
eaves·drop·per, noun
an·ti·eaves·drop·ping, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To eavesdrop
Collins
World English Dictionary
eavesdrop (ˈiːvzˌdrɒp) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , -drops, -dropping, -dropped | |
| (intr) to listen secretly to the private conversation of others | |
| [C17: back formation from earlier evesdropper, from Old English yfesdrype water dripping from the eaves; see | |
| 'eavesdropper | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Eavesdrop
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Furthermore, a reader can be quite far away and still skim or eavesdrop on information.
And he has expanded the government's power to eavesdrop on its citizens.
Lessons from plants that eavesdrop on each other's pain.
Although the law regulates eavesdropping, security services continued to eavesdrop without prior authorization.
Nearby Words
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