See Also:

spy(1) (iou)



spy noun. ME.
[Aphet. from Old French espie (mod. espion), from espier: see SPY verb. Cf. medieval Latin spia.]
A person who keeps watch on others secretly or stealthily. ME.
spec. A person employed by a State or organization to collect and report secret information on the esp. military activities of an enemy, hostile foreign State, etc., or on the activities of a rival organization. ME.
The action of spying; secret observation or watching; an instance or occasion of this. LME.
Phrases: one's spies joc. one's private or unofficial sources of information. spy in the cab colloq. = TACHOGRAPH. spy in the sky a satellite or aircraft used to gather intelligence (freq. attrib., with hyphens).
Comb.: spycatcher an agent who seeks to detect and apprehend spies of another State or organization; spymaster the head of an organization of spies; spy plane an aircraft used to gather intelligence; spy ring an organization or network of people engaged in espionage; spy satellite a space satellite used to gather esp. military intelligence; spy-ship a vessel used for clandestine observation.
spydom noun the world of spies and espionage M19.
spyism noun (rare) espionage M19.
spyship noun the office or occupation of a spy L18.