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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

spying en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • (US) audio
  • /ˈspaɪ.ɪŋ/

Etymology

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Meanings

  1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present) present participle and gerund of spy
    form of spy

spying en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

  • (US) audio
  • /ˈspaɪ.ɪŋ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English spyinge, spiyng, spyeng, equivalent to spy + -ing.

Meanings

  1. (countable, uncountable) espionage; the act of secretly gathering information
    • There are two ways in which the obsessive character of jealousy tends to exert itself: one is in the need to know, the endless tests and investigations and spyings that are so characteristic of jealousy. 1980, Amélie Rorty, Explaining Emotions, page 472:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
spyings Number=Plur lexicographic

Deriveds

antispying · unspying · cyberspying