reconnoitre

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

verb (used with or without object)

Chiefly British.

reconnoitred, reconnoitring 

1. reconnoiter.

reconnoitre

/ ˌrɛkəˈnɔɪtə /

verb

1. to survey or inspect (an enemy's position, region of land, etc); make a reconnaissance (of)

noun

1. the act or process of reconnoitring; a reconnaissance

Other Word Forms

• reconnoitrer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reconnoitre¹

C18: from obsolete French reconnoître to inspect, explore; see _recognize

Example Sentences

When he and a comrade went to reconnoitre an attack, Gaddafi’s forces spotted them.

From Reuters

The citation for temporary Lieutenant Robert Hastings read: "He personally reconnoitred the approach to the position under very severe rifle and machine-gun fire."

From BBC

He was headed, generally, for Lake Superior, and would reconnoitre once he got to Lake Michigan.

From The New Yorker

They might be used to reconnoitre an area or attack it, permitting the manned aircraft to hold back.

From Economist

The serious young man arrives first, on a reconnoitring mission.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• analyze 
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• examine 
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• search 
• seek 
• test 
• try