espionage
UK: ˈes.pi.ə.nɑːʒ | US: ˈes.pi.ə.nɑːʒ
n. the practice of spying or using spies to obtain secret information, especially for governments or organizations.
espionage = espion<spy> + age<noun suffix>
- espion<spy>: Derived from Old French espion (spy), which traces back to Italian spione and ultimately Latin specere (to look).
- age<noun suffix>: A French-derived suffix indicating a collective activity or condition (e.g., "voyage," "heritage").
Etymology Origin:
The word espionage entered English in the 18th century from French, where espionnage referred to the act of spying. Its roots lie in Latin specere (to observe), reflecting the covert "watching" central to espionage. The suffix -age systematizes the concept into a formal practice, aligning with other French loanwords denoting professions or activities.
The novel revolves around Cold War espionage between rival intelligence agencies.
Industrial espionage is a growing concern for tech companies.
She was arrested for committing espionage against her own government.
The film depicts the dangers of espionage during wartime.
Cybersecurity measures aim to prevent digital espionage.