reconnoitre
Gather military intelligence
To reconnoitre is to survey an area to gather information, especially about enemy positions or terrain before military action.
The word is primarily British; Americans spell it reconnoiter.
Beyond military contexts, it can mean any preliminary inspection: We reconnoitred the neighbourhood before deciding where to rent.
The noun reconnaissance covers the same ground.
One who reconnoiters
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- advanceMove or progress forward
- vanguardForemost position or group
lookout · sentinel · outpost · perimeter · flank · terrain · enemy · position
Secret, undetected movement
- infiltrateEnter secretly to observe
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undetectedNot discovered yet
surreptitious · furtive · undercover · disguise · camouflage · shadow · cloak-and-dagger · sabotage
Portable timekeeping device
- monitorDisplay or supervisor
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
- detectNotice or discover
perceive · scan · spot · track · identify · assess · evaluate · note
Organized exploratory journey
- navigateGuide through terrain
- traverseMove across an area
- chartData shown visually
- probeThorough examination or tool
investigate · discover · uncover · pathfind · range · sweep · advance · penetrate
Spatial representation of terrain
- terrainLand's physical features
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
- cartographyCreating geographic representations
- aerialElevated, or signal-catcher
satellite · elevation · contour · boundary · grid · layout · assessment · measurement
scout
One who reconnoiters
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- advanceMove or progress forward
vanguard · lookout · sentinel · outpost · perimeter · flank · terrain · enemy · position · movement
stealth
Secret, undetected movement
- infiltrateEnter secretly to observe
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
undetected · surreptitious · furtive · undercover · disguise · camouflage · shadow · cloak-and-dagger · sabotage · espionage
watch
Portable timekeeping device
- monitorDisplay or supervisor
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
detect · perceive · scan · spot · track · identify · assess · evaluate · note · study
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
probe · investigate · discover · uncover · pathfind · range · sweep · advance · penetrate · venture
map
Spatial representation of terrain
- terrainLand's physical features
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
- cartographyCreating geographic representations
aerial · satellite · elevation · contour · boundary · grid · layout · assessment · measurement · planning
reconnoiter, reconnoitering, reconnoitered, reconnoitred, reconnoitring