eavesdropping
Use Eavesdropping 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 eavesdropping
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
Eavesdropping
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
Fortunately, there is another, less obtrusive way to monitor animals: by eavesdropping on them.
Since this is not the case in current quantum encryption, eavesdropping attacks are possible.
The officers then arrested the defendant for eavesdropping and stopped their search until after securing a search warrant.
Fidel, who has been eavesdropping, is to be his escort.
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