reconnoiter

[ree-kuh-noi-ter, rek-uh-]

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verb (used with object)

to inspect, observe, or survey (the enemy, the enemy's strength or position, a region, etc.) in order to gain information for military purposes.

to examine or survey (a region, area, etc.) for engineering, geological, or other purposes.

verb (used without object)

to make a reconnaissance.

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. 2019

Related Words for reconnoiter

look, inquire, probe, explore, examine, scout, survey

Examples from the Web for reconnoiter

Historical Examples of reconnoiter

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.
Canada: the Empire of the North
Agnes C. Laut
We are to reconnoiter along this road and down toward that bridge (pointing).
Manual of Military Training
James A. Moss
Presently a Persian on horseback rode up to reconnoiter the pass.
Children's Literature
Charles Madison Curry
A small boat with a pilot and midshipman was sent in to reconnoiter the harbor.
Historic Adventures
Rupert S. Holland

Word Origin and History for reconnoiter

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