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Webster 1913 Edition

Espionage

Es′pi-o-nage

(?; 277)
,
Noun.
[F.
espionnage
, fr.
espionner
to spy, fr.
espion
spy, OF.
espie
. See
Espy
.]
The practice or employment of spies; the practice of watching the words and conduct of others, to make discoveries, as spies or secret emissaries; secret watching.

Webster 1828 Edition

Espionage

ES'PIONAGE

,
Noun.
The practice or employment of spies; the practice of watching the words and conduct of others and attempting to make discoveries, as spies or secret emissaries; the practice of watching others without being suspected, and giving intelligence of discoveries made.

Definition 2024

espionage

espionage

English

Noun

espionage ‎(countable and uncountable, plural espionages)

  1. The act or process of learning secret information through clandestine means.

Synonyms

Derived terms

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Translations

Etymology

Recorded since 1793, a borrowing from French espionnage, from Middle French espionner ‎(“to spy”), from Old French espion ‎(“spy”), itself probably from a Germanic source (akin to Old High German spehon ‎(“spy”)), possibly via Italian spione (from spia). More at spy.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɛs.pi.ə.nɑːʒ/

'ĕs-pē-ŭ-näzh also Canadian -năzh; -nizh

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