espy

¹ American  

[ih-spahy] / ɪˈspaɪ /

verb (used with object)

espied, espying

1. to see at a distance; catch sight of.

   Synonyms:

   perceive, discover, descry, discern

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Espy ² American  

[es-pee] / ˈɛs pi /

noun

1. James Pollard 1785–1860, U.S. meteorologist.

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espy British  

/ ɪˈspaɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to catch sight of or perceive (something distant or previously unnoticed); detect

   to espy a ship on the horizon

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Espy Scientific  

/ ĕs′pē /

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• espier noun
• unespied adjective

Etymology

Origin of espy

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English espien, espyen, from Old French espier, ultimately from Germanic; compare German spähen “to look out”; skeptic, speculate

Example Sentences

Leave it to van Gogh to turn a tree he espied in the landscape into a profound mystery, bringing new life to an ancient symbol.

From New York Times

Discerning blurry outlines in Himalayan mountain zones, gullible visitors uttered: “Just look! We’ve finally espied proof! The abominable snowman eXists!”

From Washington Post

A man who stops for gas a sign espies That says a dog out back has quite a knack.

From Washington Post

Early telescopes could be aimed skyward to magnify stargazing or wielded on the battlefield to espy enemy forces massing on the horizon.

From Los Angeles Times

The couple got into rare books quite by accident, recalled David Bauman, a gentle, soft-spoken man in his 70s, after espying some at Freeman, the auction house in Philadelphia where they lived as newlyweds.

From New York Times