I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ transitive verb
Etymology: probably from side (III) + swipe
1. : to strike with a glancing blow along the side
sideswiped a parked car
the derailed cars were sideswiped by an express train
2. : to block (an opponent in football) by throwing one's body across the legs from the side
II. noun
1.
a. : the action of sideswiping
b. : an instance of sideswiping : a glancing blow
2. : a criticism made in passing : an incidental deprecatory remark, allusion, or reference
the author takes some well-aimed sideswipes at our foreign policy — New Yorker