espial
(ɪˈspaɪəl)
Forms: 4 espi-, espyaile, -lle, (expyayle), 4–7 espiall(e, 6–7 espyal(l, 5– espial.
[a. OF. espiaille the action of spying (concr. in pl. ‘spies’), f. espier, mod.F. épier: see espy v.]
1. The action of espying or spying. a. The acting as a spy; the action of keeping watch; observation. Also attrib.
| c 1386 Chaucer Melib. ¶353 Thanne schal ye evermore counterwayte embusshementz and alle espiaille. 1393 Gower Conf. III. 56 For espiall and mistrowinges They dide thanne suche thinges, That every man might other knowe. 1477 Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes 11 a, Be ware well that thou be not supprised by thin ennemyes, for lakke of wache and good espial. 1552 Huloet, Espiall place, or corner to spye out of. 1612–15 Bp. Hall Contempl. O.T. xix. ix, There are spies upon him, whose espials have moved their anger. 1848 Dickens Dombey 256 The Captain..cut a small hole of espial in the wall. 1876 M. E. Braddon J. Haggard's Dau. I. 73 A little room next the hall-door, a closet of espial. |
† b. Detection, discovery.
Obs.| a 1557 G. Cavendish Life Wolsey (T.), After the espial of this boy my lord revealed the same unto the Council. |
c. The action of espying or catching sight of anything; the fact of being espied.
| 1580 Babington Exp. Lord's Prayer (1596) 212 A true espiall of sanctification of life in our selues. 1683 tr. Erasm. Moriæ Enc. 24 They are as Eagle-sighted as may be in the espial of others faults. 1814 Byron Corsair i. xvii, Conrad's prow pass'd by, Screen'd from espial by the jutting cape. 1830 Hood Haunted House i. ix, Roses with thistles struggled for espial. |
† 2. concr. A body of spies; hence (chiefly in
pl.) a spy, scout.
Obs.| c 1386 Chaucer Friar's T. 23 Ful prively he had his espiaile. 1531 Elyot Gov. iii. vi, Dauid by an espiall knewe that they were all faste on slepe. a 1572 Knox Hist. Ref. Wks. 1846 I. 452 The Quene had amangis us her assured espiallis. 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. I. 174/2 His [Harold's] vnskilfull espials tooke the Normans for priests. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. v. §31 Our Judge stands as an espial and a watch over our actions. 1653 Holcroft Procopius ii. 51 The espialls returning assured him, there would bee no invasion. |
| transf. 1607 Topsell Serpents (1608) 644 Bees..when the flowers are spent neer their lodgings, send out their espials to look for more in places further distant. |