spying

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈspaɪ.ɪŋ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aɪɪŋ

Etymology 1

From spy +‎ -ing.

Verb

spying

1. present participle and gerund of spy

Etymology 2

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

Noun

spying (countable and uncountable, plural spyings)

1. espionage; the act of secretly gathering information
   • 1980, Amélie Rorty, Explaining Emotions, page 472:

     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.

Translations

espionage — see espionage

Anagrams

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