[1] : 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.
      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
see also:
trap stairs trap tree jack 

Booby Trap >> B Words
Booby Trap, definition of term: Booby Trap
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