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eaves·drop

(ēvzdrŏp′)

intr.v. eaves·dropped, eaves·drop·ping, eaves·drops

1. To listen secretly to the private conversation of others.

2. To gain access to private electronic communications, as through wiretapping or the interception of email or phone calls.

[Probably back-formation from eavesdropper, one who eavesdrops, from Middle English evesdropper, from evesdrop, place where water falls from the eaves, from Old English yfesdrype; see upo in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

eavesdrop′per n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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