The word "espionage" is spelled with seven letters, including two sets of double letters. The first "e" is pronounced with the short "e" sound as in "pet", followed by "sp" which is pronounced with the "s" sound and a light "p" sound. The letter "i" is pronounced with the long "ee" sound as in "peek". The next double letters are "o" and "n", which are pronounced with the "ah" and "n" sounds, respectively. Finally, the word finishes with the "a" and "g" sounds, with the second "e" being silent. The IPA phonetic transcription for "espionage" is /ˈɛspɪənɑːʒ/.
Espionage refers to the covert or clandestine activity of obtaining sensitive or confidential information, typically of a political, military, or industrial nature, through surreptitious means. It is the practice of gathering intelligence by individuals or organizations on behalf of a government or other entities, often with the intention of using the gathered information to gain an advantage.
The act of espionage typically involves spying on targets or infiltrating target organizations and networks to access classified or privileged information. This can include monitoring communications, conducting surveillance operations, recruiting moles or informants, and employing various technological methods to gain unauthorized access to protected data.
Espionage is often carried out by intelligence agencies or professionally trained operatives acting covertly in foreign countries. The motive behind engaging in espionage is usually to obtain information that could be used to make strategic decisions, expose potential threats, or gain an advantage in negotiations or conflicts.
The act of espionage is generally considered illegal, as it involves the violation of a country's sovereignty and often breaches local laws. Many nations have specific laws against espionage and treat it as a serious offense that may be punishable by imprisonment or other severe penalties.
Espionage has been a key element in many historical conflicts and has evolved with advancements in technology, including the use of cyber espionage techniques in the modern era.
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• The practice of watching the words and conduct of others, generally from unworthy motives; the practice of employing others as spies or secret agents.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "espionage" is derived from the French term "espionnage", which itself comes from the Middle French word "espionner" meaning "to spy" or "to be a spy". The root of the word can be traced back to the Provençal word "espion" and the Old Occitan word "espiar", both meaning "to spy". These words have their origins in the Latin word "specere", meaning "to look". Through the evolution of the French language, "espionner" developed, and eventually, "espionage" was adopted into English to refer to the act of spying or gathering secret information.