Spy (spī), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Spied (spīd); p. pr. & vb. n.Spying.] [OE. spien, espien, OF. espier, F. épier, OHG. spehōn, G. spähen; akin to L. specere to see, Skr. spaç. √169. Cf. Espy, v. t., Aspect, Auspice, Circumspect, Conspicuous, Despise, Frontispiece, Inspect, Prospect, Respite, Scope, Specimen, Spectacle, Specter, Speculate, Spice, Spite, Suspicion.] 1. To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.
One, in reading, skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of admiration. Swift.
2. To discover by close search or examination.
Look about with your eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England. Latimer.
3. To explore; to view, inspect, and examine secretly, as a country; — usually with out.
Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof. Num. xxi. 32.