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Eavesdropping |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia | 0.34 sec. |
eavesdroppingSecretly gaining unauthorized access to confidential communications. Examples include listening to radio transmissions or using laser interferometers to reconstitute conversations by reflecting laser beams off windows that are vibrating in synchrony to the sound in the room. See wiretapping. Eavesdropping Andret eavesdrops through keyhole on Tristan and Isolde’s conversation. [Arthurian Legend: Walsh Classical, 22] lurking behind arras, he is killed accidentally by Hamlet. [Br. Lit.: Hamlet] inquisitive, meddlesome character who “eavesdrops on everyone.” [Br. Drama: Paul Pry, Payton, 514] his name overheard by queen’s messenger, allowing spell to be broken. [Ger. Fairy Tale: Grimm, 19] How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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We decided that she must have been eavesdropping, but as we could recall nothing of importance that had passed between us we dismissed the matter as of little consequence, merely promising ourselves to be warned to the utmost caution in the future. Here Tink, who was in her bedroom, eavesdropping, squeaked out something impudent. Upon the end of his long, stringy neck his little head was cocked to one side, his close-set eyes were half closed, his ears, so expressive was his whole attitude of stealthy eavesdropping, seemed truly to be cocked forward--even his long, yellow, straggly moustache appeared to assume a sly droop. |
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