from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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2. Hence, anything by which one is entangled and brought into
trouble.
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If thou retire, the Dauphin, well appointed,
Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee.
--Shak.
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3. The gut or string stretched across the lower head of a
drum.
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4. (Med.) An instrument, consisting usually of a wireloop or
noose, for removing tumors, etc., by avulsion.
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{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.
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