— snipelike , adj. — sniper , n.
/snuyp/ , n. , pl. snipes , ( esp. collectively ) snipe for 1, 2; v. sniped, sniping .
n.
1. any of several long-billed game birds of the genera Gallinago ( Capella ) and Limnocryptes, inhabiting marshy areas, as G. gallinago (common 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.
v.i.
4. to shoot or hunt snipe.
5. to shoot at individuals as opportunity offers from a concealed or distant position: The enemy was sniping from the roofs.
6. to attack a person or a person's work with petulant or snide criticism, esp. anonymously or from a safe distance.
[ 1275-1325; ME snype (n.) -snipa (in myrisnipa moor snipe); c. Norw snipa, Icel snipa; cf. Dan sneppe, G Schnepfe ]