espy etymology

Etymology:

The word "espy" comes from the Old French word "espier," which means "to watch" or "to observe." It is thought to be derived from the Latin "exspectare," which means "to expect" or "to wait."

Meaning:

Espy means to catch sight of something suddenly or unexpectedly. It is often used to describe the act of seeing something from a distance or in a hidden location.

Origin:

The word "espy" first appeared in the English language around the 13th century. It was originally used in a military context, referring to the act of observing enemy movements. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include any sudden or unexpected sighting.

Examples:

  • "She espied a deer grazing in the meadow."
  • "The lookout espied a ship on the horizon."
  • "I espied a secret message hidden in the book."
  • "The hunter espied his prey from afar."
  • "The detective espied the suspect lurking in the shadows."

Synonyms:

  • spot
  • glimpse
  • catch sight of
  • observe
  • perceive

Antonyms:

  • miss
  • overlook
  • ignore
  • fail to see

espy relate terms

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  • circumspect

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  • conspicuous

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  • episcopal

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  • especial

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  • espionage

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  • espy

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  • expect

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  • frontispiece

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  • gyroscope

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  • haruspex

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  • horoscope

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  • inspect

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  • inspection

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  • inspector

    Etymology Latin inspector inspector Meaning A person appointed to examine or over

  • introspect

    Etymology The word introspect originates from the Latin words intro meaning inward

  • introspection

    Etymology The word introspection is derived from two Latin roots Intro meaning w

  • perspective

    Etymology Perspective comes from the Latin word perspicere which means to see throu

  • perspicacious

    Etymology of Perspicacious Perspicacious originates from the Latin word perspicax

  • perspicacity

    Etymology Perspicacity originates from the Latin word perspicacitās which is deriv

  • prospect

    Etymology and Meaning The word prospect has Latin origins deriving from prospectar

  • prospective

    Etymology Latin prospectivus Meaning Relating to or characterized by looking forw

  • respect

    Etymology The word respect derives from the Latin word respectus meaning a lookin

  • respite

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  • retrospect

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  • scope

    Etymology The word scope comes from the Middle English term scōp which itself ori

  • skeptic

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  • species

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  • specious

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  • spectacle

    Etymology The word spectacle is derived from the Latin word spectaculum which means

  • spectacular

    Etymology The word spectacular comes from the Latin word spectare which means to l

  • spectrum

    Etymology The word spectrum comes from the Latin word spectrum which means appariti

  • speculate

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  • speculation

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  • spice

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  • suspect

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  • suspicion

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  • suspicious

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  • telescope

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  • descry

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  • spot

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  • sight

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  • post

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  • stop

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  • demure

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  • emphasis

    Etymology The word emphasis comes from the Greek word ἐμφάσις emphasis which

  • concert

    Etymology The word concert comes from the Middle French word concerto which in turn c