ESPY • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Espy

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/ˈɛspi/ Listen

noun

Espy n. (pl. espies) A spy; a scout. (Obs.)

verb

Espy v. t. (past & past part. espied; pres. part. espying)

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." "A goodly vessel did I then espy Come like a giant from a haven broad."

To inspect narrowly; to examine and keep watch upon; to watch; to observe. "He sends angels to espy us in all our ways."

Synonyms: To discern; discover; detect; descry; spy.

Espy v. i. To look or search narrowly; to look about; to watch; to take notice; to spy. "Stand by the way, and espy."

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Etymology of 'Espy'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Espy" Quotes from Famous Books

... north and south, and curving westward; and appearing, as far as we could see, completely to surround it. Along the whole line of this reef the sea was breaking with such violence as to render all approach dangerous; neither could we espy any break or opening in it, through which to reach the shore. Towards this foaming barrier the current was rapidly bearing us, and we were too feeble to struggle long against its force. To permit ourselves ...

— The Island Home • Richard Archer

... over my shoulder, what did I espy but two fiery eyes gleaming through the darkness, as did poor hapless William, and the rush of some eager animal bent on prey, which would not be driven back, came distinct and clear. I did not tell Jemmy what my startled eyes beheld, but hurried ...

— Little Folks - A Magazine for the Young (Date of issue unknown) • Various

... out other craft drawing in on our right and left, and I later learned that, while we waited, the canoes were forming about the ship a circle of hostile spears. But it then seemed at every moment as if the man who was leaning on the taffrail must espy us,—it always is hard for the person in the dark, who sees what is near the light, to realize that he himself remains invisible,—and a thousand ...

— The Mutineers • Charles Boardman Hawes

... I thy parts run o'er, I can't espy In any one the least indecency; But every line and limb diffused thence A fair and unfamiliar excellence: So that the more I look the more I prove There's still more cause why I the ...

— The Hesperides & Noble Numbers: Vol. 1 and 2 • Robert Herrick

... in the garden of the palace just then, and they turned with disappointment to obey Glinda's command. But before they left the garden the Tin Woodman, who was fond of flowers, chanced to espy a big red rose growing upon a bush; so he plucked the flower and fastened it securely in the tin buttonhole ...

— The Marvelous Land of Oz • L. Frank Baum

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