Dictionary-Definition.com :: TRAP definition

Definition of 'trap'

noun

A device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned

noun

Drain consisting of a U-shaped section of drainpipe that holds liquid and so prevents a return flow of sewer gas

noun

Something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares; "the exam was full of trap questions"; "it was all a snare and delusion" [syn: trap, snare]

noun

A device to hurl clay pigeons into the air for trapshooters

noun

The act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise [syn: ambush, ambuscade, lying in wait, trap]

noun

Informal terms for the mouth [syn: trap, cakehole, hole, maw, yap, gob]

noun

A light two-wheeled carriage

noun

A hazard on a golf course [syn: bunker, sand trap, trap]

verb

Place in a confining or embarrassing position; "He was trapped in a difficult situation" [syn: trap, pin down]

verb

Catch in or as if in a trap; "The men trap foxes" [syn: trap, entrap, snare, ensnare, trammel]

verb

Hold or catch as if in a trap; "The gaps between the teeth trap food particles"

verb

To hold fast or prevent from moving; "The child was pinned under the fallen tree" [syn: trap, pin, immobilize, immobilise]

Definition of 'Trap'

From: GCIDE

Trap \Trap\, a. Of or pertaining to trap rock; as, a trap dike. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Trap'

From: GCIDE

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]

Definition of 'Trap'

From: GCIDE

Trap \Trap\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Trapped; p. pr. & vb. n. Trapping.] [Akin to OE. trappe trappings, and perhaps from an Old French word of the same origin as E. drab a kind of cloth.] To dress with ornaments; to adorn; -- said especially of horses. [1913 Webster]
Steeds . . . that trapped were in steel all glittering. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
To deck his hearse, and trap his tomb-black steed. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
There she found her palfrey trapped In purple blazoned with armorial gold. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Trap'

From: GCIDE

Trap \Trap\, n. [Sw. trapp; akin to trappa stairs, Dan. trappe, G. treppe, D. trap; -- so called because the rocks of this class often occur in large, tabular masses, rising above one another, like steps. See Tramp.] (Geol.) An old term rather loosely used to designate various dark-colored, heavy igneous rocks, including especially the feldspathic-augitic rocks, basalt, dolerite, amygdaloid, etc., but including also some kinds of diorite. Called also trap rock. [1913 Webster]
Trap tufa, Trap tuff, a kind of fragmental rock made up of fragments and earthy materials from trap rocks. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Trap'

From: GCIDE

Trap \Trap\, v. t. [AS. treppan. See Trap a snare.] [1913 Webster]
1. To catch in a trap or traps; as, to trap foxes. [1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: To insnare; to take by stratagem; to entrap. "I trapped the foe." --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
3. To provide with a trap; as, to trap a drain; to trap a sewer pipe. See 4th Trap, 5. [1913 Webster]