snipe
[ snahyp ]
/ snaɪp /
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noun, plural snipes, (especially collectively) snipe for 1, 2.
any of several long-billed game birds of the genera Gallinago (sometimes Capella) 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.
any of several other long-billed birds, as some sandpipers.
a shot, usually from a hidden position.
verb (used without object), sniped, snip·ing.
to shoot or hunt snipe.
to shoot at individuals as opportunity offers from a concealed or distant position: The enemy was sniping from the roofs.
to attack a person or a person's work with petulant or snide criticism, especially anonymously or from a safe distance.
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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
OTHER WORDS FROM snipe
snipelike, adjectivesniper, nouncoun·ter·snip·er, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for snipe
British Dictionary definitions for snipe
snipe
/ (snaɪp) /
noun plural snipe or snipes
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
any of various similar related birds, such as certain sandpipers and curlews
a shot, esp a gunshot, fired from a place of concealment
verb
(when intr, often foll by at) to attack (a person or persons) with a rifle from a place of concealment
(intr often foll by at) to criticize adversely a person or persons from a position of security
(intr) to hunt or shoot snipe
Derived forms of snipe
snipelike, adjectiveWord Origin for snipe
C14: from Old Norse snīpa; related to Old High German snepfa Middle Dutch snippe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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