spotter

[spot-er]

noun

1. a person employed to remove spots from clothing, especially at a dry-cleaning establishment.

2. (in civil defense) a civilian who watches for enemy airplanes.

3. Informal.,  a person employed to watch the activity and behavior of others, especially employees, as for evidence of dishonesty.

4. Military.,  an observer at a forward position who singles out targets for gunners.

5. a person or thing that spots.

6. (in small-arms practice firing) a small black disk attached to the target to make more prominent the places where a bullet has hit.

7. an assistant to a sportscaster who provides the names of the players chiefly involved in each play of a game, especially a football game.

8. Gymnastics, Tumbling.,  a person who is stationed in the most effective place to guard against an injury to a performer in the act of executing a maneuver.

spotter

/ ˈspɒtə /

noun

1. 1. a person or thing that watches or observes

   2. ( as modifier )

      a spotter plane

2. a person who makes a hobby of watching for and noting numbers or types of trains, buses, etc

   a train spotter

3. military a person who orders or advises adjustment of fire on a target by observations

4. a person, esp one engaged in civil defence, who watches for enemy aircraft

5. informal,  an employee assigned to spy on his colleagues in order to check on their honesty

6. films

   1. a person who checks against irregularities and inconsistencies

   2. a person who searches for new material, performers, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of spotter¹

First recorded in 1605–15; spot + -er ¹

Example Sentences

A few plane spotters gathered outside the airport to watch Air Force Two take off.

From BBC

For years, rival gangs and their customers have hidden from the French police here - the gangs' spotters carefully guarding every possible entrance.

From BBC

Now there’s spotters to make sure no hawks are nearby.

From Los Angeles Times

This soulless group of feckless individuals consists of racists, misogynists, bed wetters, train spotters, and a guy who once painted his bald head to make it look like he had hair.

From Salon

He adds that players should wear protective headgear - which many currently do not - and have spotters around to prevent their heads from hitting the ground.

From BBC

Related Words

• agent 
• detective 
• informer 
• investigator www.thesaurus.com
• mole 
• operative 
• secret agent 
• secret service 
• undercover agent www.thesaurus.com