snipe

[ snahyp ]

noun

plural snipes, (especially collectively) snipe

1. Also British, snite []. any of several long-billed game birds of the genera Gallinago (sometimes Capella ) and Limnocryptes, inhabiting marshy areas, as G. gallinago com·mon 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.

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

/ 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

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by at to attack (a person or persons) with a rifle from a place of concealment
2. introften foll byat to criticize adversely a person or persons from a position of security
3. intr to hunt or shoot snipe

Derived Forms

• ˈsnipeˌlike, adjective

Other Word Forms

• snipe·like adjective
• snip·er noun
• coun·ter·snip·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of snipe¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of snipe¹

C14: from Old Norse snīpa; related to Old High German snepfa Middle Dutch snippe

Example Sentences

In 2023, the Guardian sniped “their shtick wears thin at times.”

From Los Angeles Times

Trump is resorting to the favorite response of lily-livered trolls everywhere: sniping insults at the better man from the safety of his computer screen.

From Salon

Now, Baldoni is alleging in his 179-page complaint that he is not at fault, and that the high-profile battle is "not a case about celebrities sniping at each other in the press".

From BBC

Their sold-out tour as a duo becomes a nightmare of onstage sniping.

From Los Angeles Times

As Beethoven is said to have sniped to his benefactor, the Austrian royal Karl Alois, Prince Lichnowsky, “Prince, what you are, you are by circumstance and birth. What I am, I am through myself.”

From Los Angeles Times