espial

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"But here, my lord," answered one of the youths, "is a knave who comes on treacherous espial!"

From The Abbot by Scott, Walter, Sir

They heard a vehicle draw up before the house, and Barbara, making cautious espial from the windows, exclaimed that it was Mr. Musselwhite.

From The Emancipated by Gissing, George

The portcullis, drawbridge, moat, and wicket for espial, as well as an armed bully or Pandar to quell disagreeable intruders, if by chance they got admittance without responsible introduction, all point to an organized system.

From The Rogues and Vagabonds of Shakespeare's Youth Awdeley's 'Fraternitye of vacabondes' and Harman's 'Caveat' by Awdeley, John

Then wisdom altered its method and spoke of espial and discovery.

From The Picture of Dorian Gray by Wilde, Oscar

Among the crowd entering the Exhibition he could easily keep her in sight without risk of his espial being detected.

From Eve's Ransom by Gissing, George