Espy: meaning, definitions and examples

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espy

 

[ ษชหˆspaษช ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

to see

To espy means to catch sight of something or someone, often in a quick or concealed manner. It implies a level of observation or detection, usually when something is not easily noticeable.

Synonyms

detect, notice, perceive, spot

Examples of usage

  • She espied a rare bird in the trees.
  • He espied his friend across the crowded room.
  • The detective espied a clue at the crime scene.
Context #2 | Verb

to discover

Espy can also refer to discovering or finding something unexpectedly, stressing the element of surprise in the observation.

Synonyms

discover, find, reveal, uncover

Examples of usage

  • They espied a hidden treasure in the cave.
  • While hiking, he espied a beautiful waterfall.
  • The scouts espied enemy troops in the distance.

Translations

Translations of the word "espy" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น observar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฆเฅ‡เค–เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช beobachten

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengamati

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฟะพัั‚ะตั€ั–ะณะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ obserwowaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฆณๅฏŸใ™ใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท observer

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ observar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gรถzlemlemek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ด€์ฐฐํ•˜๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุฑุงู‚ุจุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pozorovat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ pozorovaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ง‚ๅฏŸ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ opazovati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fylgjast meรฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐา›ั‹ะปะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒ•แƒšแƒ”แƒœแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรผลŸahidษ™ etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ observar

Etymology

The word 'espy' dates back to the early 15th century, derived from the Middle English word 'espien,' which in turn comes from the Old French 'espier,' meaning 'to watch' or 'to look out.' The root can be traced to the Latin 'specere,' which means 'to look at.' Over time, 'espy' evolved to specifically convey the act of observing something discreetly or unexpectedly, often associated with a sense of curiosity or attentiveness. The term has been used in various literary contexts, often suggesting a level of keen observation or surveillance, reflecting its historical roots in watching or looking closely.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,669 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.