épier

Senses

1. 1.

   to spy on

   to watch someone secretly or furtively

2. 2.

   to lurk / to lie in wait

   to hide and observe, often with the intention to catch someone off guard

Examples

• "Il épie son voisin derrière les rideaux."

  He spies on his neighbor from behind the curtains.

• "Elle épie l'arrivée de son ami à la gare."

  She watches keenly for her friend's arrival at the station.

• "Le chat épie les oiseaux dans le jardin."

  The cat lurks and watches the birds in the garden.

Usage

A formal or literary verb, though still used in everyday speech. Often implies secrecy or vigilance, and is common in descriptions of surveillance, hunting, or wildlife observation. Distinct from "espionner" (to spy for political/military purposes).