from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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She would weep if that she saw a mouse
Caught in a trap. --Chaucer.
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2. Fig.: A snare; an ambush; a stratagem; any device by which
one may be caught unawares.
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Let their table be made a snare and a trap. --Rom.
xi. 9.
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God and your majesty
Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
The trap is laid for me! --Shak.
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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.
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4. The game of trapball.
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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.
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6. A place in a water pipe, pump, etc., where air accumulates
for want of an outlet.
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7. A wagon, or other vehicle. [Colloq.] --Thackeray.
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8. A kind of movable stepladder. --Knight.
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{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}.
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