eavesdrop

English

/ˈiːvzˌdɹɒp/, /ˈivzˌdɹɑp/

verb
Definitions
  • (ambitransitive) To hear a conversation one is not intended to hear; to listen in.
  • (zoology) To listen for another organism's calls, so as to exploit them.

Etymology

Compound from English eaves + English drop (act of dropping).

Origin

English

drop

Gloss

act of dropping

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms