Snipe definitions and example sentences on Wordnik

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Definitions (49)

American Heritage Dictionary (6)

noun Any of various long-billed shore birds of the genus Gallinago or Capella, related to the woodcocks and sandpipers, especially the common, widely distributed species G. gallinago or C. gallinago.
noun Any of various similar or related birds.
noun A shot, especially a gunshot, from a concealed place.

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Century Dictionary (35)

A bird of the genus Scolopax in a former broad sense. Some or any bird belonging to the family Scolopacidæ, having the bill straight, much longer than the head, dilated and sensitive at the end, and with a median lengthwise groove on the upper mandible near the end, the toes cleft to the base, the primaries not emarginate, and the tail-feathers barred; especially, a member of the genus Gallinago (Scolopax being restricted to certain woodcock). In Great Britain three species of Gallinago are called snipe. (1) The common snipe, or whole-snipe, is Gallinago cœlestis or G. media, formerly Scolopax gallinago. (2) The great, double, or solitary snipe, or woodcock-snipe, is G. major. (3) The small snipe, half-snipe, or jack-snipe is G. gallinula. They differ little except in size. In the United States the common snipe. also called jack-snipe and Wilson's snipe, is G. wilsoni or G. delicata, about as large as G. media, which it very closely resembles, so that it is sometimes known as the “English” snipe, to distinguish it from various snipe-like birds peculiar to America, and also bog-snipe, gutter-snipe, meadow-snipe, alewife-bird, shad-bird, and shad-spirit. It is from 10½ to 11½ inches long and from 17½ to 19½ in extent of wings; the bill is about 2½ inches long. The upper parts are blackish, varied with bay and tawny; the scapulars are edged with tawny or pale buff, forming a pair of firm stripes along the sides of the back when the wings are closed; the lining of the wings and axillary feathers is barred regularly with black and white; the tail-feathers, normally sixteen in number, are barred with black, white, and chestnut; the fore neck and breast are light-brown speckled with dark-brown; and the belly is white. (See cut under Gallinago.) Snipes like these, and of the same genus, are found in most countries, and are called by the same name, with or without a qualifying term. Some other scolopacine or snipe-like bird. There are very many such birds, chiefly distinguished from sandpipers (see sandpiper) by the length, from tattlers or gambets by the sensitiveness, and from curlews, god wits, etc., by the straightness of the bill. (1) In the United States the gray-backed or red-breasted snipes are birds of the genus Macrorhamphus, of which there are 2 species or varieties, the lesser and greater longbeak, M. griseus and M. scolopaceus. See dowitcher. (2) The grass-snipe is the pectoral sandpiper, Actodromas maculata. See cut under sandpiper. Also called jack-snipe. (3) The robin-snipe is the knot, Tringa canutus, also a sandpiper. (4) The stone-snipe is Totanus melanoleucus, a tattler. See cut under yellowlegs. (5) In Great Britain the sea-snipe is the dunlin, Tringa or Pelidna alpina, a sandpiper. (6) In Great Britain the summer snipe is the common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucus. (7) Painted snipe are the curious birds of the genus Rhynchæa or Rostratula. See these words. A common misnomer, in various localities, of the American woodcock, Philohela minor; also called common snipe, big snipe, mud-snipe, red-breasted snipe, big-headed snipe, blind snipe, whistling snipe, wood-snipe. See woodcock. A misnomer of the long-billed curlew. R. Ridgway. [Salt Lake valley.] plural The Scolopacidæ; the snipe family. [The plural means either two or more birds of one kind, or two or more kinds of these birds: in the former sense, the plural is generally snipe; in the latter, snipes.]
A fool; a blockhead; a simpleton; a goose. I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane, If I would time expend with such a snipe, But for my sport and profit. Shak., Othello, i. 3. 391. And. by Jove, I sat there like a great snipe face to face with him [the bushranger] as cool and unconcerned as you like. H. Kingsley, Geoffry Hamlyn, xxxi.
A half-smoked cigar found on the street. [Slang, U. S.]

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Another bird rarely seen at any other spot than this was the painted snipe, a prettily-marked species with a green curved bill. — Far Away And Long Ago
Also, if the snipe is against Obama, then it fuels his supporters. — Latest Articles
For a decent shot 30 couple of snipe is a fair bag. — The Panjab, North-West Frontier Province, and Kashmir
Curlew or snipe, they were soon divested of the feathery coat, and placed in Lanty's frying-pan. — The Hunters' Feast Conversations Around the Camp Fire
Some of the snipe were larger and deeper in colour than those I am familiar with--Painted snipe I believe A delightful country this would be for a holiday in a native river boat. — From Edinburgh to India ; Burmah

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