spy
spy
(pl. -ies)
(pl. -ies)
- a person who secretly collects and reports information on the activities, movements, and plans of an enemy or competitor
间谍
■a person who keeps watch on others secretly
密探，暗探
[as modifier]a spy camera.
间谍照相机。
- [no obj.]work for a government or other organization by secretly collecting information about enemies or competitors
当间谍，从事间谍活动
he agreed to spy for the West.
他同意作西方国家的间谍。
■(spy on)observe (someone) furtively
暗中监视，暗中观察
the couple were spied on by reporters.
这对夫妇受到记者盯梢。
■[with obj.]discern or make out, especially by careful observation
认出；看出
he could spy a figure in the distance.
他能看清远处的人影。
■[with obj.](spy something out)collect information about something to use in deciding how to act
侦察出；探明，查明
he would go and spy out the land.
他将去探明地形。
- Middle English: shortening of Old French espie 'espying', espier 'espy', of Germanic origin, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin specere 'behold, look'
考试词汇表
