snipe

American  

[snahyp] / snaɪp /

noun

PLURAL

snipes

PLURAL

snipe

1. Also snite any of several long-billed game birds of the genera Gallinago (sometimesCapella ) and Limnocryptes, inhabiting marshy areas, as G. gallinago common snipe, orwhole snipe, of Eurasia and North America, having barred and striped white, brown, and black plumage.

2. any of several other long-billed birds, as some sandpipers.

3. a shot, usually from a hidden position.

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verb (used without object)

sniped, sniping

1. to shoot or hunt snipe.

2. to shoot at individuals as opportunity offers from a concealed or distant position.

   The enemy was sniping from the roofs.

3. to attack a person or a person's work with petulant or snide criticism, especially anonymously or from a safe distance.

snipe British  

/ snaɪp /

noun

1. any of various birds of the genus Gallinago (or Capella ) and related genera, such as G. gallinago ( common or Wilson's snipe ), of marshes and river banks, having a long straight bill: family Scolopacidae (sandpipers, etc), order Charadriiformes

2. any of various similar related birds, such as certain sandpipers and curlews

3. a shot, esp a gunshot, fired from a place of concealment

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verb

1. to attack (a person or persons) with a rifle from a place of concealment

2. to criticize adversely a person or persons from a position of security

3. (intr) to hunt or shoot snipe

Other Word Forms

• countersniper noun
• snipelike adjective
• sniper noun

Etymology

Origin of snipe

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English snype (noun), from Old Norse -snīpa (in mȳrisnīpa “moor snipe”); cognate with Norwegian snipa, Icelandic snīpa; compare Danish sneppe, German Schnepfe

Example Sentences

They were dismissive and sniped about her appearance, but Watson wasn't above taking a look at her work when Wilkins offered.

From BBC

Faced with contradictory data about two prongs of a mandate in conflict, he must pick one to focus on—with a President sniping at him to ease money at every opportunity.

From The Wall Street Journal

If elected, she pledged to have "difficult conversations" with the leadership, while refusing to "snipe from the sidelines".

From BBC

"He doesn't have a seat in Parliament, wouldn't necessarily find or win one," and one minister snipes, "any chance to have a dig – Burnham will never miss an opportunity".

From BBC

Others in the party are trying to stop the sniping.

From Salon

Related Words

• hoot
• quip
• ridicule
• scoff
• sneer
• taunt