spy

Definitions

1. 1.To discover by close search or examination. Look about with yout eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England. Latimer.
2. 2.To explore; to view; inspect; and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out. Moses sent to spy Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof. Num. xxi.
3. 3.To search narrowly; to scrutinize. It is my nature's plague To spy into abuses. Shak.
4. 4.One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. "These wretched spies of wit." Dryden.
5. 5.(Mil.) A person sent secretly into an enemy's camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer. Spy money, money paid to a spy; the reward for private or secret intelligence regarding the enemy. -- Spy Wednesday (Eccl.), the Wednesday immediately preceding the festival of Easter; -- so called in allusion to the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "spy" mean?
• What is another word for "spy"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is spy.

• What is to discover by close search or examination. Look about with yout eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England. Latimer called?
• What is to explore; to view; inspect; and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out. Moses sent to spy Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof. Num. xxi called?
• What is to search narrowly; to scrutinize. It is my nature's plague To spy into abuses. Shak called?
• What is one who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. "These wretched spies of wit." Dryden called?