Spy

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

A — 1: Ἐγκάθετος (Strong'S #1455 — Adjective — enkathetos — eng-kath'-et-os )

an adjective denoting "suborned to lie in wait" (en, "in," kathiemi, "to send down"), is used as a noun in  Luke 20:20 , "spies." In the Sept.,  Job 19:12;  31:9 .

A — 2: Κατάσκοπος (Strong'S #2685 — Noun Masculine — kataskopos — kat-as'-kop-os )

denotes "a spy" (kata, "down," signifying "closely," and skopeo, "to view"),  Hebrews 11:31 .

B — 1: Κατασκοπέω (Strong'S #2684 — Verb — kataskopeo — kat-as-kop-eh'-o )

"to view closely" (akin to A, No. 2), "spy out, search out" with a view to overthrowing, is used in  Galatians 2:4 . In the Sept.,  2—Samuel 10:3;  1—Chronicles 19:3 .

King James Dictionary

SPY, n.

1. A person sent into an enemys camp to inspect their works, ascertain their works, ascertain their strength and their intentions, to watch their movements, and secretly communicate intelligence to the proper officer. By the laws of war among all civilized nations, a spy is subjected to capital punishment. 2. A person deputed to watch the conduct of others. 3. One who watches the conduct of others.

These wretched spies of wit.

SPY,

1. To see to gain sight of to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment. It is the same as espy as, to spy land from the mast head of a ship.

As tiger spied two gentle fawns.

One in reading skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of admiration.

2. To discover by close search or examination as, a lawyer in examining the pleadings in a case, spies a defect. 3. To explore to view, inspect and examine secretly as a country usually with out.

Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof.  Numbers 21 .

SPY, To search narrowly to scrutinize.

It is my natures plague to spy into abuse.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) A person sent secretly into an enemy's camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer.

(2): ( n.) One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others.

(3): ( v. i.) To search narrowly; to scrutinize.

(4): ( v. t.) To explore; to view; inspect; and examine secretly, as a country; - usually with out.

(5): ( v. t.) To discover by close search or examination.

(6): ( v. t.) To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

SPY . See War, § 3 .