Main Entry:

¹snipe

Pronunciation:

\ˈsnīp\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural snipes

Etymology:

Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse snīpa snipe; akin to Old High German snepfa snipe

Date:

14th century

1or plural snipe : any of various usually slender-billed birds of the sandpiper family ; especially : any of several game birds (especially genus Gallinago) especially of marshy areas2: a contemptible person