n.
(pl. spies)
- a person employed by a government or other organization to collect and report secret information on an enemy or competitor.
- a person who observes others secretly.
v.
(spies, spying, spied)
- be a spy.
▸
(spy on)
observe furtively.
- observe or notice.
Phrase
- spy out the land
collect information about a situation before deciding how to act.
Etymology
ME: shortening of OFr. espie ‘espying’, espier ‘espy’, of Gmc origin.