▪ I. † aˈspy, n. Obs.
[a. AF. *aspie = OF. espie spy. The prevalent spelling of both n. and vb. in early ME.; in 15th c. espy, after Fr., came into common use.]
= spy n.
| 1297 R. Glouc. 557 Hii adde gode aspies, hou hii hom þo bere. 1380 Sir Ferumb. 5232 To þe Amerel þe aspye aȝen is went. 1382 Wyclif Prov. xi. 6 Wicked men in ther aspies shal be take. 1467 Marg. Paston Lett. 576 II. 308 He..sendyth dayly aspies to understand what felesshepe kepe the place. |
▪ II. † aˈspy, v. Obs.
[a. AF. *aspie-r = OF. espier, mod. é{pdotab}ier, to espy: see prec.]
= espy v.
| c 1230 Ancr. R. 196 Iðe wildernesse heo aspieden us to slean. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb., Where the swarmes dwell is crafte to aspie. 1536 Bellendene Cron. Scot. II. 102 He was aspyit makand derision. |