The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
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A machine or contrivance that shuts suddenly, as with a spring, used for taking game or other animals; as, a trap for foxes.
She would weep if that she saw a mouse Caught in a trap.
--Chaucer. -
Fig.: A snare; an ambush; a stratagem; any device by which one may be caught unawares.
Let their table be made a snare and a trap.
--Rom. xi. 9.God and your majesty Protect mine innocence, or I fall into The trap is laid for me!
--Shak. 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.
The game of trapball.
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.
A place in a water pipe, pump, etc., where air accumulates for want of an outlet.
A wagon, or other vehicle. [Colloq.]
--Thackeray.-
A kind of movable stepladder.
--Knight.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.
Usage examples of "trap tree".
These were somehow more revolting because they not only hunted, lying in wait on the ground, and fastened themselves to branches to trap tree-dwelling creatures, but were also carrion eaters, devouring meat they had not killed themselves.