'Spy' definitions:

Definition of 'spy'

From: WordNet
noun
(military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors [syn: spy, undercover agent]
noun
A secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people; "my spies tell me that you had a good time last night"
verb
Catch sight of [syn: descry, spot, espy, spy]
verb
Watch, observe, or inquire secretly [syn: spy, stag, snoop, sleuth]
verb
Catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; "he caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge" [syn: spy, sight]
verb
Secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage; "spy for the Russians"

Definition of 'Spy'

From: GCIDE
  • Spy \Spy\, v. i. To search narrowly; to scrutinize. [1913 Webster]
  • It is my nature's plague To spy into abuses. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Spy'

From: GCIDE
  • Spy \Spy\, n.; pl. Spies (sp[imac]z). [See Spy, v., and cf. Espy, n.]
  • 1. One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. "These wretched spies of wit." --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: See Emissary, and Scout. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Spy'

From: GCIDE
  • Spy \Spy\ (sp[imac]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spied (sp[imac]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Spying.] [OE. spien, espien, OF. espier, F. ['e]pier, OHG. speh[=o]n, G. sp[aum]hen; akin to L. specere to see, Skr. spa[,c]. [root] 169. Cf. Espy, v. t., Aspect, Auspice, Circumspect, Conspicuous, Despise, Frontispiece, Inspect, Prospect, Respite, Scope, Specimen, Spectacle, Specter, Speculate, Spice, Spite, Suspicion.]
  • 1. To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see. [1913 Webster]
  • One, in reading, skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of admiration. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To discover by close search or examination. [1913 Webster]
  • Look about with your eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England. --Latimer. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To explore; to view, inspect, and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out. [1913 Webster]
  • Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof. --Num. xxi. 32. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'spy'

From: Moby Thesaurus