Snipe \Snipe\, n. [OE. snipe; akin to D. snep, snip, LG. sneppe,
   snippe, G. schnepfe, Icel. sn[imac]pa (in comp.), Dan.
   sneppe, Sw. sn[aum]ppa a sanpiper, and possibly to E. snap.
   See Snap, Snaffle.]
   1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of limicoline game
      birds of the family Scolopacidae, having a long,
      slender, nearly straight beak.
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   Note: The common, or whole, snipe (Gallinago c[oe]lestis)
         and the great, or double, snipe (Gallinago major),
         are the most important European species. The Wilson's
         snipe (Gallinago delicata) (sometimes erroneously
         called English snipe) and the gray snipe, or
         dowitcher (Macrohamphus griseus), are well-known
         American species.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. A fool; a blockhead. [R.] --Shak.
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   Half snipe, the dunlin; the jacksnipe.

   Jack snipe. See Jacksnipe.

   Quail snipe. See under Quail.

   Robin snipe, the knot.

   Sea snipe. See in the Vocabulary.

   Shore snipe, any sandpiper.

   Snipe hawk, the marsh harrier. [Prov. Eng.]

   Stone snipe, the tattler.

   Summer snipe, the dunlin; the green and the common European
      sandpipers.

   Winter snipe. See Rock snipe, under Rock.

   Woodcock snipe, the great snipe.
      [1913 Webster]