snipe

/snaɪp/

/snaɪp/

Other forms: sniping; snipes; sniped

A long-beaked bird that lives in marshes and swamps is called a snipe. As a verb, to snipe is to attack someone in a snide way — something a snipe would never do, because birds aren't that petty.

You can find the well-camouflaged shorebird known as the snipe just about everywhere in the world. These birds are famously difficult for hunters to shoot, as they blend in well with their surroundings and have an erratic flight pattern. This is where the word sniper, or sharpshooter, comes from, in addition to the definition of snipe that means "shoot from a hiding place." The figurative sense of "attack someone verbally" followed.

Definitions of snipe

1. noun

   Old or New World straight-billed game bird of the sandpiper family; of marshy areas; similar to the woodcocks
   types:

   Gallinago gallinago, whole snipe

   common snipe of Eurasia and Africa

   Gallinago gallinago delicata, Wilson's snipe

   American snipe

   Gallinago media, great snipe, woodcock snipe

   Old World snipe larger and darker than the whole snipe

   Limnocryptes minima, half snipe, jacksnipe

   a small short-billed Old World snipe

   dowitcher

   shorebird of the sandpiper family that resembles a snipe

   Limnodromus griseus, grayback, greyback

   a dowitcher with a grey back

   Limnodromus scolopaceus, red-breasted snipe

   a dowitcher with a red breast

   type of:

   limicoline bird, shore bird, shorebird

   any of numerous wading birds that frequent mostly seashores and estuaries
2. noun

   a gunshot from a concealed location
   type of:

   gunfire, gunshot

   the act of shooting a gun
3. verb

   hunt or shoot snipe
   type of:

   hunt, hunt down, run, track down

   pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
4. verb

   aim and shoot with great precision
   synonyms: sharpshoot

   type of:

   blast, shoot

   fire a shot
5. verb

   attack in speech or writing
   synonyms: assail, assault, attack, lash out, round

   types:

   abuse, blackguard, clapperclaw, shout

   use foul or abusive language towards

   claw

   attack as if with claws

   vitriol

   subject to bitter verbal abuse

   rip

   criticize or abuse strongly and violently

   whang

   attack forcefully

   barrage, bombard

   address continuously or persistently, as if with a barrage

   blister, scald, whip

   subject to harsh criticism

   rubbish

   attack strongly

   slang

   abuse with coarse language

   rail, revile, vilify, vituperate

   spread negative information about

   curse

   heap obscenities upon

   type of:

   criticise, criticize, knock, pick apart

   find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws