espy

espy (ɪˈspaɪ)

—vb , -pies, -pying, -pied
	(tr) to catch sight of or perceive (something distant or previously unnoticed); detect: to espy a ship on the horizon

[C14: from Old French espier to spy, of Germanic origin]

es'pier

—n

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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

espy

early 14c., from O.Fr. espier (Fr. épier), from V.L. *spiare, from a Gmc. source (cf. O.H.G. spehon "to spy" (see spy). Related: Espied.

American Heritage

Science Dictionary

Espy

(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.

Matching Quote

"But when the bowels of the earth were sought,
And men her golden entrails did espy,
This mischief then into the world was brought,
This framed the mint which coined our misery.
...
And thus began th'exordium of our woes,
The fatal dumb-show of our misery;
Here sprang the tree on which our mischief grows,
The dreary subject of world's tragedy."

-Michael Drayton

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Related Words

discern discover

espial glimpse

espy

es·py

Es·py