- Trap
- Trap Trap, n. [OE. trappe, AS. treppe; akin to OD. trappe,
OHG. trapo; probably fr. the root of E. tramp, as that which
is trod upon: cf. F. trappe, which is trod upon: cf. F.
trappe, which perhaps influenced the English word.]
1. A machine or contrivance that shuts suddenly, as with a
spring, used for taking game or other animals; as, a trap
for foxes.
[1913 Webster]
She would weep if that she saw a mouse Caught in a trap. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: A snare; an ambush; a stratagem; any device by which one may be caught unawares. [1913 Webster]
Let their table be made a snare and a trap. --Rom. xi. 9. [1913 Webster]
God and your majesty Protect mine innocence, or I fall into The trap is laid for me! --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. A wooden instrument shaped somewhat like a shoe, used in the game of trapball. It consists of a pivoted arm on one end of which is placed the ball to be thrown into the air by striking the other end. Also, a machine for throwing into the air glass balls, clay pigeons, etc., to be shot at. [1913 Webster]
4. The game of trapball. [1913 Webster]
5. A bend, sag, or partitioned chamber, in a drain, soil pipe, sewer, etc., arranged so that the liquid contents form a seal which prevents passage of air or gas, but permits the flow of liquids. [1913 Webster]
6. A place in a water pipe, pump, etc., where air accumulates for want of an outlet. [1913 Webster]
7. A wagon, or other vehicle. [Colloq.] --Thackeray. [1913 Webster]
8. A kind of movable stepladder. --Knight. [1913 Webster]
{Trap stairs}, a staircase leading to a trapdoor.
{Trap tree} (Bot.) the jack; -- so called because it furnishes a kind of birdlime. See 1st {Jack}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
