eavesdropped

Variant of eavesdrop

eavesdrop definition

eaves·drop (ēvz′dräp′)

noun

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

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

intransitive verb eavesdropped -·dropped′, eavesdropping -·drop′·ping

to listen secretly to the private conversation of others

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

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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