espial
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There is yet," he answered, having made espial; "for the attack goes but upon the street side, leaving the lane free.
From Idonia: A Romance of Old London by Wallis, Arthur F.
"But here, my lord," answered one of the youths, "is a knave who comes on treacherous espial!"
From The Abbot by Scott, Walter, Sir
At last, safe from every chance of espial, she sat down again in her chair before the desk, leaned her elbows on the desk, and looked desperately, miserably, into the joyous face of the picture.
Her mother’s small mind yet had an uncanny power of partial divination, gained from years of experience and espial, that irritated while it impressed.
From The Wayfarers by Cutting, Mary Stewart Doubleday
The portcullis, drawbridge, moat, and wicket for espial, as well as an armed bully or Pandar to quell disagreeable intruders, if by chance they got admittance without responsible introduction, all point to an organized system.
From The Rogues and Vagabonds of Shakespeare's Youth Awdeley's 'Fraternitye of vacabondes' and Harman's 'Caveat' by Awdeley, John