espial

Definition

An act of noticing or observing.

Etymology

From Middle English espiaille, from Old French espier (“to watch”).

Example Sentences

• "Secure—unnoted—Conrad's prow pass'd by, / And anchor'd where his ambush meant to lie; / Screen'd from espial by the jutting cape, / That rears on high its rude fantastic shape."
• "She had, however, the comfort of knowing that her lady's wardrobe was in her power, but it did not avail her much, as the servants of the house were so shocked at the Frenchwoman's refusal to nurse her sick lady, that every eye was upon her in the way of espial and condemnation; […]"
• "these be most necessarie for the espials belonging vnto a camp"

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