espy

[ ih-spahy ]

/ ɪˈspaɪ /

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See synonyms for espy on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), es·pied, es·py·ing.

to see at a distance; catch sight of.

OTHER WORDS FOR espy

discern, descry, discover, perceive, make out.

See synonyms for espy on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of espy

1175–1225; Middle English espyen<Old French espier ≪ Germanic; compare German spähen to spy

OTHER WORDS FROM espy

un·es·pied, adjective

Other definitions for espy (2 of 2)

Espy

[ es-pee ]

/ ˈɛs pi /

noun

James Pol·lard

[pol-erd], /ˈpɒl ərd/, 1785–1860, U.S. meteorologist.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use espy in a sentence

A new state flag and medical marijuana are on the ballot, which some have pointed to as evidence of progress in Mississippi and a potential driver for Espy’s base.
In Senate rematch, Democrats hope for an Espy upset but remain realistic about Mississippi politics|Sarah Fowler|October 23, 2020|Washington Post
Hyde-Smith has only recently hit the campaign trail and has declined to debate Espy.
In Senate rematch, Democrats hope for an Espy upset but remain realistic about Mississippi politics|Sarah Fowler|October 23, 2020|Washington Post
In their first matchup, neither Espy nor Hyde-Smith ran campaigns free of controversy.
In Senate rematch, Democrats hope for an Espy upset but remain realistic about Mississippi politics|Sarah Fowler|October 23, 2020|Washington Post
Still, Espy’s campaign has attracted an eye-popping amount of cash for a Democrat.
In Senate rematch, Democrats hope for an Espy upset but remain realistic about Mississippi politics|Sarah Fowler|October 23, 2020|Washington Post

The light sound of his wheels had died away before she espied Sues tall figure coming quickly towards her.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline|Jennie M. Drinkwater
From her point, the upper part alone could be espied, but what concern had she in the servants' quarters in a house?
Balsamo, The Magician|Alexander Dumas
At a turning in the road I saw the trusty messenger seated; and as he espied me and arose, I hastened to meet him.
Confessions of a Thug|Philip Meadows Taylor
The moment the watchman, posted on the platform of the donjon, espied from afar a troop of travelers, he sounded his horn.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue
After the feeling had come to her, to heighten the sensation she espied a little card hung under the small mirror on the wall.
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete|Gilbert Parker

British Dictionary definitions for espy

espy

/ (ɪˈspaɪ) /

verb -pies, -pying or -pied

(tr) to catch sight of or perceive (something distant or previously unnoticed); detectto espy a ship on the horizon

Derived forms of espy

espier, noun

Word Origin for espy

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for espy

Espy

[ ĕs′pē ]

James Pollard 1785-1860

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.

espy

OTHER WORDS FOR espy

Origin of espy

OTHER WORDS FROM espy

Other definitions for espy (2 of 2)

Words related to espy

How to use espy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for espy

Derived forms of espy

Word Origin for espy

Scientific definitions for espy