espy

[ ih-spahy ]

See synonyms for espy on Thesaurus.com

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

to see at a distance; catch sight of.

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”; see also skeptic, speculate

Other words for espy

See synonyms for espy on Thesaurus.com

Other words from espy

un·es·pied, adjective

Words Nearby espy

Other definitions for Espy (2 of 2)

Espy

[ es-pee ]

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. 2023

How to use espy in a sentence

But in 2003, Foxx hilariously sang a tribute to Serena Williams at the espy Awards.
13 Award Show Hosts Dos and Don'ts | Sujay Kumar | November 29, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
FREDDY espy PLIMPTON People used to ask me what George was like when he woke up in the morning?
Partying with George Plimpton | Nelson Aldrich | October 26, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST
It is proposed to form this ascending column of air by kindling large fires which, Mr. espy says, are known to produce rain.
The Rain Cloud | Anonymous
He would espy the beauty of an old binding through any amount of abrasion and laceration.
There and Back | George MacDonald
He had such remarkable eyesight that he could espy the ear of a squirrel projecting above the highest limb of a tall white oak.
Tales of lonely trails | Zane Grey

King Eterscél's folk espy that house and suppose that it was food that the cowherds kept there.
The Harvard Classics, Volume 49, Epic and Saga | Various
espy still lived, still loved her; they might yet be restored to each other.
Signing the Contract and What it Cost | Martha Finley

British Dictionary definitions for espy

espy

/ (ɪˈspaɪ) /

verb-pies, -pying or -pied

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

Origin of espy

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

Derived forms of espy

espier, noun

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 ]

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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