'Spying' definitions:
Definition of 'spying'
From: WordNet
noun
Keeping a secret or furtive watch
noun
The act of keeping a secret watch for intelligence purposes [syn: spying, undercover work]
noun
Definition of 'Spying'
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 'spying'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- bugging,
- cloak-and-dagger work,
- counterespionage,
- counterintelligence,
- detection,
- electronic surveillance,
- espial,
- espionage,
- following,
- intelligence,
- intelligence work,
- looking,
- lookout,
- military intelligence,
- note,
- notice,
- observance,
- observation,
- regard,
- respect,
- secret police,
- secret service,
- shadowing,
- stakeout,
- surveillance,
- tailing,
- trailing,
- viewing,
- watch,
- watching,
- wiretap,
- wiretapping,
- witnessing