espial

American  

[ih-spahy-uhl] / ɪˈspaɪ əl /

noun

1. the act of spying.

2. the act of keeping watch; observation.

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espial British  

/ ɪˈspaɪəl /

noun

1. the act or fact of being seen or discovered

2. the act of noticing

3. the act of spying upon; secret observation

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Etymology

Origin of espial

1350–1400; Middle English espiaille < Middle French. See espy, -al ²

Example Sentences

I saw not what was to be gained by any such long-range espial in the darkness.

From The Master of Appleby A Novel Tale Concerning Itself in Part with the Great Struggle in the Two Carolinas; but Chiefly with the Adventures Therein of Two Gentlemen Who Loved One and the Same Lady by Lynde, Francis

Quite into fairyland they had come now, in truth; as if, skirting the dark peak that shut it off from ordinary espial, they had lighted on a bypath that led them covertly in.

From Faith Gartney's Girlhood by Whitney, A. D. T. (Adeline Dutton Train)

The act of espial had always been hateful to him: he preferred to trust his brethren, and it cost far less trouble.

From Brother Copas by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir

Thus urged by our despairing lord, we made Th’ espial.

From The Seven Plays in English Verse by Sophocles

The system of espial, too, was carried out with increased severity.

From The Life of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France by Yonge, Charles Duke