espion

French

Etymology

Inherited from Middle French *espion (attested only in the verb espionner), from Old French espion, spion (“one assigned to observe or spy”). Alternatively, derived from Old French espie (“spy”), under influence of Italian spione (“spy”). According to another theory, French espion is borrowed from Italian spione.

In modern times, the French pronunciation of the s, which had fallen silent since the 13th century, was restored due to the influence of Italian spione (“spy”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛs.pjɔ̃/

• Audio:

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• Audio (France (Vosges)):

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• Audio (France (Lyon)):

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• Audio (France (Somain)):

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Noun

espion m (plural espions, feminine espionne)

1. (espionage) spy (person who secretly watches)

Derived terms

• logiciel espion

Derived terms

• espionner
  • espionnage

Descendants

• → Basque: espioi
• → German: Spion (or directly from Italian)
• → Norman: espion
• → Portuguese: espião
• → Turkish: ispiyon

Further reading

• “espion”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012

Anagrams

• épions

Norman

Etymology

Borrowed from French espion.

Noun

espion m (plural espions)

1. (Jersey) spy

Synonyms

• êpieux

Occitan

Pronunciation

• Audio (Béarn):

  (file)

Noun

espion m (plural espions, feminine espiona, feminine plural espionas)

1. spy

Related terms

• espionar