What is the Latin word for spy?

The usual Latin words for “spy” are explōrō, speculātor, ēmissārius; also excursor, dēlātor, speculor. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“spy” in Latin

explōrōto investigate, search out, seek, discover, examine, explore; to spy out, reconnoitre; to test, try, put to the proof speculātorspy, scout; explorer, investigator ēmissāriusemissary, scout, spy; shoot, young branch excursorskirmisher, scout, spy dēlātoraccuser, informer, informant, denouncer speculorto watch, to observe; to examine, to explore; to spy intrōspiciōto look at, into or upon; to examine, inspect perspiciōto see through something; to perceive or discern clearly pervideōto look over or on, overlook, survey, view; to consider, examine; to perceive, discern

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

spy s.

explorator (a professed spy, especially in war; one who examines everything closely on the spot, and reports it to his party): speculator (a scout; one who observes or watches anything from a high ground at a distance): emissarius (one who is sent out by another, whose creature he is): excursor (one who runs far out to espy). (The words are found in this connection and order.) excursor et emissarius (e.g., istius excursor et emissarius, Cic.): delator (one who endeavors to detect dangerous political opinions, etc., and report the holders of them to the magistrates; a police spy). A female spy, speculatrix.

spy v.

explorare: speculari. To spy into, introspicere: to spy out, perspicere: pervidere.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for spy?: The usual Latin words for “spy” are explōrō, speculātor, ēmissārius; also excursor, dēlātor, speculor. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.