catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  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.
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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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]

  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.
  
              She would weep if that she saw a mouse Caught in a
              trap.                                 --Chaucer.
  
     2. 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.
  
     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.
  
     4. The game of trapball.
  
     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.
  
     6. A place in a water pipe, pump, etc., where air accumulates
        for want of an outlet.
  
     7. A wagon, or other vehicle. [Colloq.] --Thackeray.
  
     8. 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.