espy

¹

[ih-spahy]

verb (used with object)

espied, espying 

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

   Synonyms: perceive, discover, descry, discern

Espy

²

[es-pee]

noun

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

espy

/ ɪˈspaɪ /

verb

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

   to espy a ship on the horizon

Espy

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.

Other Word Forms

• unespied adjective
• espier noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of espy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of espy¹

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

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.

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

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

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

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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.

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