verb
- past tense of espy; caught sight of or noticed, especially something distant or partially hidden
Usage: literary; formal
Examples
- The lookout espied a ship on the horizon.
- She espied her friend across the crowded marketplace.
- The detective espied a suspicious figure lurking in the shadows.
- From the tower, they espied enemy troops approaching.
- He espied a rare bird through his binoculars.
- The scout espied smoke rising from the distant valley.