v. t. | 1. | To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see. | ||||||
2. | To discover by close search or examination. | |||||||
3. | To explore; to view, inspect, and examine secretly, as a country; - usually with | |||||||
v. i. | 1. | To search narrowly; to scrutinize. | ||||||
n. | 1. | One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. | ||||||
2. | (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.
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Noun | 1. | spy - (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors Synonyms: undercover agent |
2. | spy - a secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people; "my spies tell me that you had a good time last night" | |
Verb | 1. | spy - catch sight of |
2. | spy - watch, observe, or inquire secretly | |
3. | spy - secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage; "spy for the Russians" |
SPY. One who goes into a place for the purpose of ascertaining the best way
of doing an injury there.
2. The term is mostly applied to an enemy who comes into the camp for
the purpose of ascertaining its situation in order to make an attack upon
it. The punishment for, this crime is death. See Articles of War, 1 Story's
Laws U. S. 992; Vattel, Droit des Gens. liv. 3, Sec. 179.