'Espying' definitions:

Definition of 'Espying'

From: GCIDE
  • Espy \Es*py"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Espied; p. pr. & vb. n. Espying.] [OF. espier, F. ['e]pier, from OHG. speh?n to watch, spy, G. sp[aum]hen; akin to L. specere to look, species sight, shape, appearance, kind. See Spice, Spy, and cf. Espionage.]
  • 1. To catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; to discover, as a distant object partly concealed, or not obvious to notice; to see at a glance; to discern unexpectedly; to spy; as, to espy land; to espy a man in a crowd. [1913 Webster]
  • As one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, . . . he espied his money. --Gen. xlii. 27. [1913 Webster]
  • A goodly vessel did I then espy Come like a giant from a haven broad. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To inspect narrowly; to examine and keep watch upon; to watch; to observe. [1913 Webster]
  • He sends angels to espy us in all our ways. --Jer. Taylor.
  • Syn: To discern; discover; detect; descry; spy. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Espying'