verb
reconnoiter
ree-kuh-NOY-ter/ˌrikəˈnɔɪt̮ər/
To inspect an area to gather military or strategic information.
The scouts reconnoiter the river crossing from a ridge.
Etymology
The underlying idea of “knowing again” connects this word with recognizing and identifying. Here, that idea developed into examining a region to gain knowledge useful for military or engineering purposes.
In context
permission to inspect the rear premises I conducted both men to the back door and let them out into the garden where they passed out at the back gate to reconnoiter the alley
More examples
- They sent a patrol to reconnoiter the ridge.
- The team was reconnoitering possible routes.
- She reconnoiters the area before planning the operation.
Forms
reconnoiter · reconnoiters · reconnoitered · reconnoitering
reconnaissance noun — inspection to gather strategic information