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spy

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Spy is defined as to secretly watch someone or something.

(verb)

An example of to spy is hiding behind a bush and watching someone through their window.

The definition of a spy is a person who secretly watches what people are doing.

(noun)

An example of spy is Mata Hari who was employed by Germany during the first world war.

See spy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb spied, spying

to watch or observe closely and secretly, usually with unfriendly purpose: often with out
to catch sight of; make out; perceive; see

Origin: ME spien < OFr espier < OHG spehōn, to search out, examine < IE base *spe-, to spy, watch closely > L specere, to see, Sans spaśati, (he) sees, Gr skopein, to observe

intransitive verb

to watch or observe closely and secretly; specif., to act as a spy
to make a close examination or careful inspection

noun pl. spies

a person who keeps close and secret watch on another or others
☆ a person employed by a government to get secret information about or monitor the affairs, plans, armed forces, etc. of another government
a person employed by a company, as in industry or commerce, to discover the business secrets of another company
Now Rare an act of spying

adjective

of or about spies or espionage
used for purposes of military espionage: spy plane, spy satellite

See spy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. spies spies (spīz)

An agent employed by a state to obtain secret information, especially of a military nature, concerning its potential or actual enemies.
One employed by a company to obtain confidential information about its competitors.
One who secretly keeps watch on another or others.
An act of spying.