EAVESDROPPING

Verb

eavesdropping

present participle of eavesdrop

Noun

eavesdropping (countable and uncountable, plural eavesdroppings)

Listening secretly to private conversation of others.

(telecommunication) The interception of electronic communication.

(zoology) The act of one organism listening for another's calls, so as to exploit them.

Source: Wiktionary

Eaves"drop`ping, n. (Law)

Definition: The habit of lurking about dwelling houses, and other places where persons meet fro private intercourse, secretly listening to what is said, and then tattling it abroad. The offense is indictable at common law. Wharton.

EAVESDROP

Eaves"drop`, v. i. Etym: [Eaves + drop.]

Definition: To stand under the eaves, near a window or at the door, of a house, to listen and learn what is said within doors; hence, to listen secretly to what is said in private. To eavesdrop in disguises. Milton.

Eaves"drop`, n.

Definition: The water which falls in drops from the eaves of a house.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition