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reconnoiter

[ree-kuh-noi-ter, rek-uh-]
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verb (used with object)
  1. to inspect, observe, or survey (the enemy, the enemy's strength or position, a region, etc.) in order to gain information for military purposes.
  2. to examine or survey (a region, area, etc.) for engineering, geological, or other purposes.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to make a reconnaissance.
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Origin of reconnoiter

1700–10; < French reconnoître (now obsolete) to explore, Middle French reconoistre. See recognize
Related formsre·con·noi·ter·er, nounun·re·con·noi·tered, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for reconnoiter

Historical Examples

  • There was no cranny in the rocks too small for them to reconnoiter with caution.

    Riders of the Silences

    John Frederick

  • While the crew rested, he climbed the face of a rocky cliff to reconnoiter.

  • We are to reconnoiter along this road and down toward that bridge (pointing).

  • Presently a Persian on horseback rode up to reconnoiter the pass.

    Children's Literature

    Charles Madison Curry

  • There appeared to be no one on this side, and Lovejoy stepped forward to reconnoiter.

    Historic Adventures

    Rupert S. Holland

Word Origin and History for reconnoiter

v.

also reconnoitre, 1707, "make a survey," from older French reconnoitre (Modern French reconnaître), from Old French reconoistre "to identify" (see recognize).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper