avistar

to sight, to spot

verb ah-bees-TAHR Rare

Usage Note

Avistar means to catch sight of something at a distance, often used in nautical, wildlife, or military contexts. It is a regular -ar verb. Unlike ver (general 'to see'), avistar implies spotting something from afar, as one might avistar la costa ('sight the coast') or avistar ballenas ('spot whales').

Examples

"Los marineros avistaron tierra al amanecer."

Natural Translation

The sailors sighted land at dawn.

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