Es*py" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Espied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Espying.] [OF. espier, F. 'epier, from OHG. spehn to watch, spy, G. spahen; akin to L. specere to look, species sight, shape, appearance, kind. See Spice, Spy, and cf. Espionage.]
1.
To catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; to discover, as a distant object partly concealed, or not obvious to notice; to see at a glance; to discern unexpectedly; to spy; as, to espy land; to espy a man in a crowd.
As one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, . . . he espied his money.
Gen. xlii. 27.
A goodly vessel did I then espy
Come like a giant from a haven broad.
Wordsworth.
2.
To inspect narrowly; to examine and keep watch upon; to watch; to observe.
He sends angels to espy us in all our ways.
Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- To discern; discover; detect; descry; spy.
© Webster 1913.
Es*py", v. i.
To look or search narrowly; to look about; to watch; to take notice; to spy.
Stand by the way, and espy.
Jer. xlviii. 19.
© Webster 1913.
Es*py", n.; pl. Espies (#). [OF. espie. See Espy, v., Spy.]
A spy; a scout.
[Obs.]
Huloet.
© Webster 1913.