trap

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares

   the exam was full of trap questions

2. 2
   verb

   catch in or as if in a trap

   The men trap foxes

3. 3
   verb

   hold or catch as if in a trap

   The gaps between the teeth trap food particles

4. 4
   verb

   place in a confining or embarrassing position

   I was trapped in a difficult situation.

5. 5
   noun

   A machine or other device designed to catch (and sometimes kill) animals, either by holding them in a container, or by catching hold of part of the body.

   I put down some traps in my apartment to try and deal with the mouse problem.

6. 6
   noun

   A trick or arrangement designed to catch someone in a more general sense; a snare.

   Unfortunately she fell into the trap of confusing biology with destiny.

7. 7
   noun

   Any device used to hold and suddenly release an object.

   They shot out of the school gates like greyhounds out of the trap.

8. 8
   noun

   A vehicle, residential building, or sidewalk corner where drugs are manufactured, packaged, or sold.

   trap phone

Etymology

From Middle English trappe, from Old English træppe, treppe (“trap, snare”) (also in betræppan (“to trap”)) from Proto-West Germanic *trappjā (“trap, snare”), from Proto-West Germanic *trappjan (“to step”), from Proto-Germanic *trapjaną (“to tread, stamp”), from Proto-Indo-European *drebʰ- (“to step, trip, trample”). Cognate with Dutch trap (“step, stair”), German Low German Trapp (“step, stair”). Akin also to West Frisian traap (“stepping, treading, stairway”), German Treppe (“step, stair”), Old English træppan (“to step, tread”). Connection to "step" is "that upon which one steps". French tr…