'Spy' definitions:
Definition of 'spy'
(from WordNet)
noun
(military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors [syn: spy, undercover agent]
noun
A secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people; "my spies tell me that you had a good time last night"
verb
verb
verb
Catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; "he caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge" [syn: spy, sight]
verb
Secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage; "spy for the Russians"
Definition of 'Spy'
From: GCIDE
- Spy \Spy\, v. i. To search narrowly; to scrutinize. [1913 Webster]
- It is my nature's plague To spy into abuses. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Spy'
From: GCIDE
- Spy \Spy\, n.; pl. Spies (sp[imac]z). [See Spy, v., and cf. Espy, n.]
- 1. One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. "These wretched spies of wit." --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Mil.) A person sent secretly into an enemy's camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer. [1913 Webster]
- Spy money, money paid to a spy; the reward for private or secret intelligence regarding the enemy.
- Spy Wednesday (Eccl.), the Wednesday immediately preceding the festival of Easter; -- so called in allusion to the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot. [1913 Webster]
- Syn: See Emissary, and Scout. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Spy'
From: GCIDE
- Spy \Spy\ (sp[imac]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spied (sp[imac]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Spying.] [OE. spien, espien, OF. espier, F. ['e]pier, OHG. speh[=o]n, G. sp[aum]hen; akin to L. specere to see, Skr. spa[,c]. [root] 169. Cf. Espy, v. t., Aspect, Auspice, Circumspect, Conspicuous, Despise, Frontispiece, Inspect, Prospect, Respite, Scope, Specimen, Spectacle, Specter, Speculate, Spice, Spite, Suspicion.]
- 1. To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see. [1913 Webster]
- One, in reading, skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of admiration. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To discover by close search or examination. [1913 Webster]
- Look about with your eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England. --Latimer. [1913 Webster]
- 3. To explore; to view, inspect, and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out. [1913 Webster]
- Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof. --Num. xxi. 32. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'spy'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- agent,
- be vigilant,
- be watchful,
- beagle,
- behold,
- betrayer,
- blab,
- blabber,
- blabberer,
- blabbermouth,
- bug,
- case,
- catch sight of,
- CIA man,
- clap eyes on,
- cloak-and-dagger operative,
- counterintelligence agent,
- counterspy,
- delator,
- descry,
- detect,
- detective,
- dig out,
- discern,
- discover,
- distinguish,
- double agent,
- espionage agent,
- espy,
- eye,
- eyeball,
- ferret out,
- fink,
- fish out,
- follow,
- gaze at,
- glimpse,
- grub up,
- have a looksee,
- have in sight,
- hold in view,
- hunt out,
- identify,
- informer,
- inside man,
- intelligence agent,
- investigator,
- keep in sight,
- keep in view,
- keep under observation,
- ken,
- lay eyes on,
- look after,
- look at,
- look on,
- look upon,
- make a reconnaissance,
- make out,
- meddle,
- military-intelligence man,
- narc,
- naval-intelligence man,
- nose,
- notice,
- observe,
- operative,
- peacher,
- peek,
- peep,
- perceive,
- pick out,
- pick up,
- play the spy,
- pry,
- pry out,
- put under surveillance,
- recognize,
- reconnoiter,
- reconnoiterer,
- regard,
- root out,
- scout,
- scout out,
- search out,
- secret agent,
- see,
- sense,
- sight,
- sleuth,
- snitch,
- snitcher,
- snoop,
- spook,
- spot,
- spotter,
- spy out,
- spy upon,
- spy-catcher,
- squealer,
- stag,
- stake out,
- stool pigeon,
- stoolie,
- take in,
- talebearer,
- tattler,
- tattletale,
- telltale,
- twig,
- undercover man,
- view,
- watch,
- whistle-blower,
- witness