English
espy
Espy comes from Proto-Indo-European *speḱ- ‘to see, to look, to observe’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*speḱ-‘to see, to look, to observe’root as named · steps between not traced
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500aspien
- Englishearliest quotation 1530espy
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed deepest recorded ancestor
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*speḱ-‘to see, to look, to observe’root as named · steps between not traced
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500aspien
- Englishearliest quotation 1530espy
Earliest quotation: 1530, Hugh Latimer: “Remember the subtyle worldly wyse Counsellours of Hāmon, the…”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *speḱ- ‘to see, to look, to observe’
special, specific, respect, despite, perspective, species, scope, aspect, inspector, spectrum, expectation, inspection, spectacular, speculation, suspicion, spite, skeptical, spice, specify, specimen, spectacle, inspect, speculative, retrospective, spectator, spy, speculate, conspicuous, retrospect, espionage, expectant, skeptic, specter, endoscopic, macroscopic, spectroscopic, circumspect, speculator, specious, specular, 118 more
Today it means
verb To find out or observe (someone or something, especially if not easy to see) by spying or looking; to catch sight of; to see; to spot.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *speḱ- / espy