■ noun ( plural spies )
1》 a person employed by a government or other organization to collect and report secret information on an enemy or competitor.
2》 a person who observes others secretly.
■ verb ( spies , ~ing , spied )
1》 be a ~.
↘( ~ on ) observe furtively.
2》 observe or notice.
Phrases
~ out the land collect information about a situation before deciding how to act.
Origin
ME: shortening of OFr. espie 'e~ing', espier 'e~', of Gmc origin.