snipe

views updated May 14 2018

snipe / snīp/ • n. (pl. same or snipes ) a wading bird (Gallinago and other genera) of the sandpiper family, living in marshes and wet meadows, with brown camouflaged plumage and a long straight bill.• v. [intr.] shoot at someone from a hiding place, esp. at long range. ∎  make a sly or petty verbal attack: the brothers sniped at each other. DERIVATIVES: snip·er n.

snipe

views updated May 14 2018

snipe
1. (Gallinago) See SCOLOPACIDAE.

2. (painted snipe) See ROSTRATULIDAE.

snipe

views updated May 29 2018

snipe Any of several species of migratory, long-billed, wading shorebirds found in swampy grasslands and coastal areas throughout the world. It is generally mottled brown and buff. Length: 30cm (12in). Family Scolopacidae; genus Gallinago.

snipe

views updated May 14 2018

snipe bird of the genus Gallinago. XVI. prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Icel. mýrisnípa, Norw. myr-, strandsnipa).