Webster's English Dictionary

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espionage

es.pi.o.nage \'es-pe--*-.na:zh, -nij, -.na:j; e-'spe--*-nij\ n [F 
   espionage, fr. MF, fr. espionner to spy, fr. espion spy, f]r. OIt spione, 
   fr. spia, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG speho-n to spy - more at SPY : the 
   practice of spying or the use of spies esp. to obtain information ab out 
   the plans and activities of a foreign government