eavesdrop

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eaves|drop /'iːvzdrɒp/ (eavesdrops eavesdropping eavesdropped)
[VERB] V on n, V
If you eavesdrop on someone, you listen secretly to what they are saying.
The government illegally eavesdropped on his telephone conversations...
The housemaid eavesdropped from behind the kitchen door.
= listen in
● eavesdropping [N-UNCOUNT]
...foreign electronic eavesdropping on army communications.
● eavesdropper [N-COUNT]
Modern technology enables eavesdroppers to pick up conversations through windows or walls.

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