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

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

So they held their peace, and arranged between them to keep her in watch and close espial, that they might catch her unawares.

From The Decameron, Volume II by Rigg, J. M. (James Macmullen)

The lover's endless minutes slowly pass'd; The dame return'd, and whisper'd in his ear To follow her; with aged eyes aghast From fright of dim espial.

From Keats: Poems Published in 1820 by Robertson, M. (Margaret)

Then wisdom altered its method and spoke of espial and discovery.

From The Picture of Dorian Gray by Wilde, Oscar

They heard a vehicle draw up before the house, and Barbara, making cautious espial from the windows, exclaimed that it was Mr. Musselwhite.

From The Emancipated by Gissing, George