subs. (old).—1. A thin thing, male or female: in America = a small child. 2 (old) = a simpleton; SNIPE-KNAVE (COTGRAVE): ‘So called because two of them are worth but one SNIPE.’
1602. SHAKESPEARE, Othello, i. 3.
| For I mine own gain’d knowledge should profane, | |
| If I would time expend with such a SNIPE. |
1859. H. KINGSLEY, Recollections of Geoffry Hamlyn, xxxi. I sat there like a great SNIPE.
3. (old).—A lawyer: hence (4) a long hill.
5. (thieves’).—In pl. = the fingers.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, ‘Jerry Juniper’s Chant.’ No slour’d hoxter my SNIPES could stay.
6. (old cant).—Scissors (GROSE).
7. (American street).—A half-smoked cigar.
8. (American Stock Exchange).—A curbstone broker; a GUTTER-SNIPE (q.v.).
1870. J. K. MEDBERY, Men and Mysteries of Wall Street, 131. Solid brokers are wont to scoffingly declare that it [the Open Board] represents some hundred millions of defunct capital, its members … are ‘SNIPES’ and ‘lame ducks.’
Verb. (military).—To fire at random into a camp.
