▪ I. recoˈnnoitring, vbl. n.
[f. prec. + -ing1.]
The action of the vb. reconnoitre.
| 1778 M. Cutler in Life, etc. (1888) I. 68 The Light-horse advanced on the right for reconnoitering. 1851 Gallenga Italy 247 His attempts against Peschiera and Mantua, which had no other object than mere reconnoitering. |
| attrib. 1840 W. B. Leigh (title) Reconnoitering Voyages and Travels, with Adventures in the New Colonies of South Australia, etc. 1870 Daily News 1 Dec., The various skirmishes had only a reconnoitring end. |
▪ II. recoˈnnoitring, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That reconnoitres.
| 1759 Ld. G. Sackville Let. 16 June in Rep. MSS. Mrs. Stopford-Sackville 307 in Parl. Papers 1904 (Cd. 1892) XLVII. 1 Prince Ferdinand's and Marshal Contades' reconnoitering partys met this morning. 1799 Wellington in Gurw. Desp. I. 27 They keep clear of our picquets, and are most probably a reconnoitring party. 1834–47 J. S. Macaulay Field Fortif. (1851) 251 The reconnoitring officer. 1877 Field Exerc. Infantry 324 Reconnoitring and visiting patrols must avoid firing. |
Hence recoˈnnoitringly adv., in a reconnoitring manner. rare.
| 1924 A. D. Sedgwick Little French Girl iv. iii. 324 Giles could almost see him nibbling reconnoitringly at the edge of the stained oak mantelpiece. |