spied
v. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈspaɪd// UK //spˈaɪd// spied
v. saw something or someone, especially when they were hard to see or were hidden. It often means you noticed something suddenly or from a distance.
v. past tense and past participle of 'spy'; refers to the act of catching sight of or noticing something, often from a distance or through careful observation.
She spied a small bird hiding in the bushes.
From the top of the hill, the scouts spied a thin trail of smoke rising from the valley below.
After hours of scanning the horizon with his binoculars, the sailor finally spied the faint outline of the lighthouse through the thick morning fog.
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. In this sense, it is often used in literary or storytelling contexts rather than everyday conversation.