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eavesdrop

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To eavesdrop is defined as to listen secretly to the private conversation of other people.

(verb)

An example of eavesdrop is to listen to your neighbors' argument through a vent in your apartment.

See eavesdrop in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Rare water that drips from the eaves, or the ground on which it drips

Origin: ME evesdrop, altered (after drop, drop) < OE yfesdrype: see eaves & drip

intransitive verb eavesdropped, eavesdropping

to listen secretly to the private conversation of others

Origin: prob. back-form. < eavesdropper, lit., one who stands on the eavesdrop to listen

Related Forms:

eavesdropper noun

See eavesdrop in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb eaves·dropped, eaves·drop·ping, eaves·drops

To listen secretly to the private conversation of others.

Origin:

Origin: Probably back-formation from eavesdropper, one who eavesdrops

Origin: , from Middle English evesdropper

Origin: , from evesdrop, place where water falls from the eaves

Origin: , from Old English yfesdrype; see upo in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

eavesˈdropˌper noun

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