n. & v.
--n. (pl. same or snipes) any of various wading birds, esp. of the genus Gallinago, with a long straight bill and frequenting marshes.
--v.
1. intr. fire shots from hiding usu. at long range.
2 tr. kill by sniping.
3 intr. (foll. by at) make a sly critical attack.
4 intr. go snipe-shooting.
Phrases and idioms:
snipe eel any eel of the family Nemichthyidae, having a long slender snout. snipe fish any marine fish of the family Macrorhamphosidae, with a long slender snout.
Derivatives:
sniper n.
Etymology: ME, prob. f. Scand.: cf. Icel. m|risn{iacute}pa, & MDu., MLG snippe, OHG snepfa