snipe
シギ / 狙撃する
解説 Definition
snipe は名詞では、長いくちばしを持つ湿地性の鳥「シギ」を指します。また動詞としては、隠れた場所から狙撃する、または人をこっそり批判するという意味でも使われます。
A snipe is a wading bird with a long, straight bill, typically found in marshes and other wet ground. It is known for its quick, irregular flight when disturbed.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
まず名詞の snipe を「沼地で餌を探す、長いくちばしのシギ」と場面ごと覚えます。この鳥は素早く飛び、猟で狙うのが難しかったことから、snipe at「隠れた所から撃つ・相手をこっそり批判する」という動詞用法や sniper「狙撃手」へ結び付けると、鳥と狙撃の二つの意味を整理できます。
Picture a snipe feeding with its long bill at the edge of a marsh, then suddenly escaping in a fast, unpredictable flight. Because this bird was a difficult target for hunters, its name became connected with shooting accurately from concealment. This historical link helps organize the word family: a snipe is the bird, to snipe at someone is to shoot from hiding or make indirect criticisms, and a sniper is a concealed marksman. Learn the noun through the wetland scene, then use the hunting connection to remember the later verb senses.
例文
A snipe was feeding near the edge of the marsh.
一羽のシギが沼地の端で餌を探していた。
The soldier tried to snipe at the enemy from a hidden position.
兵士は隠れた位置から敵を狙撃しようとした。
Instead of helping, he continued to snipe at every decision.
彼は手伝うどころか、あらゆる決定に対してこそこそ批判し続けた。
snipe の類義語・関連語
snipe の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ゲルマン語派の古ノルド語に由来し、動きの素早い水鳥を指しました。獲物が難しかったため18世紀インドで狙撃競技の標的となり、「隠れて攻撃する」動詞義が派生しました。同系統語にsniperがあり、標的の難易度が現代の「狙撃」へ転じた経緯が納得できます。
English snipe comes through Middle English from a Germanic source, probably related to Old Norse snípa, the name of the bird. The later verb developed from the practice of shooting snipe, whose rapid and irregular flight made them difficult targets. Snipe shooting in British India is commonly associated with the formation of sniper, which later acquired its modern military meaning. The figurative sense “make a sharp, indirect criticism” extends the idea of attacking from concealment.
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