Using their online form, I urged Merriam-Webster, Incorporated at
http://www.merriamwebster.com/ to update their definitions for the verb "snipe". It
worked! Here is their reply:
Dear Mr. Stregevsky,
I think I was given your e-mail to answer because I have quite a bit of experience
bidding on e-Bay items, although I do prefer the "Buy It Now" option. Thank you for
these new senses of "snipe." We will add them to our citation file and, depending on
the frequency of their use, consider them for entry in future dictionaries."
My original letter follows:
Subject: new senses of "snipe" needed
Dear M-W editors,
Please add the following three senses of the verb "snipe":
(intransitive verb): to place a fist bid in an auction's final seconds as a
tactic for winning ("Sniping" is the surest way to win an EBay auction; bid
too soon, and others may resolve to outbid you.")
(transitive verb): to outbid another by sniping. ("I thought I was going to
win, but with five seconds to go some jerk snipes me.")
Both senses will be borne out by most any search engine in which you search
for snipe and EBay or snipe and auction.
I also believe that your existing sense, "to aim a carping or snide
attack," has evolved into a transitive sense, as I am using it in a
personal essay: "When my five-one sister walks down the street with her
five-eleven husband, taller women glare at her. 'Save him for us,' they
snipe."
Sincerely,
Paul Stregevsky
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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