I have been searching the forums for the past 30 mins trying to find a post with a very definite and descriptive definition of what is considered sniping and why it is so greatly frowned upon and have yet to find one...could someone please provide aid

Me and my alliances have always stuck to the definition that sniping is sending more units on purpose to kill someone at the same ETA as you. We do not consider being a shorter ETA away sniping.

even if you happen to launch after they did?

If it's at same ETA and you knew/refreshed and saw, I'd consider it sniping. If you didn't.. fight lol. But it's hard to tell who's telling the truth and who isn't...

Depends on the player , but if i attack at 6 eta and you attack 2 ticks later from 3 i dont call that sniping.
When you match my attack so we fight thats sniping.
He who gets there first owns the prize.

sniping is when you see some one else attacking and it gives you the Idea to attack from a shorter distance. It's a mind set, If you were going to attack any way, it is not sniping. If you were a bump on a log and see some ships flying and decice you can get their faster, that is sniping

You can snipe any alliance marked red, but you do not snipe blue or green.

definition varies from players to players. But most of the time, attacking something and steal the loot is considered sniping.

Personally, if i send an attack and then like two ticks later someone sends an attack with less ETA or even the same but with more troops (Only to gain loot) i consider this sniping.