Snare drum

Snare Snare, n. [AS. sneara cord, a string; akin to D. snoer, G. schnur, OHG. snour a cord, snarahha a noose, Dan. snare, Sw. & Icel. snara, Goth. sn?rj? a basket; and probably also to E. needle. See {Needle}, and cf. {Snarl} to entangle.] 1. A contrivance, often consisting of a noose of cord, or the like, by which a bird or other animal may be entangled and caught; a trap; a gin. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence, anything by which one is entangled and brought into trouble. [1913 Webster]

If thou retire, the Dauphin, well appointed, Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. The gut or string stretched across the lower head of a drum. [1913 Webster]

4. (Med.) An instrument, consisting usually of a wireloop or noose, for removing tumors, etc., by avulsion. [1913 Webster]

{Snare drum}, the smaller common military drum, as distinguished from the bass drum; -- so called because (in order to render it more resonant) it has stretched across its lower head a catgut string or strings. [1913 Webster]