es·pi·al \ə̇ˈspī(ə)l, eˈ-\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English espiaille, from Middle French, from espier to spy + -aille -al — more at spy 1.: the act of spying or watching : observation < Gabriel withdrew from his point of espial — Thomas Hardy > 2.obsolete: one that espies : spy, scout : a scouting party 3.: an act of espying or being espied : notice, discovery, detection