01 v. t. 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 glan…
imp. & p. p.
Espied; p. pr. & vb. n.
Espying
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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.
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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.