TRAP

n. & v. --n. 1 a an enclosure or device, often baited, for catching animals, usu. by affording a way in but not a way out. b a device with bait for killing vermin, esp. = MOUSETRAP. 2 a trick betraying a person into speech or an act (is this question a trap?). 3 an arrangement to catch an unsuspecting person, e.g. a speeding motorist. 4 a device for hurling an object such as a clay pigeon into the air to be shot at. 5 a compartment from which a greyhound is released at the start of a race. 6 a shoe-shaped wooden device with a pivoted bar that sends a ball from its heel into the air on being struck at the other end with a bat. 7 a a curve in a downpipe etc. that fills with liquid and forms a seal against the upward passage of gases. b a device for preventing the passage of steam etc. 8 Golf a bunker. 9 a device allowing pigeons to enter but not leave a loft. 10 a two-wheeled carriage (a pony and trap). 11 = TRAPDOOR. 12 sl. the mouth (esp. shut one's trap). 13 (esp. in pl.) colloq. a percussion instrument esp. in a jazz band. --v.tr. (trapped, trapping) 1 catch (an animal) in a trap. 2 catch or catch out (a person) by means of a trick, plan, etc. 3 stop and retain in or as in a trap. 4 provide (a place) with traps. øtrap-ball a game played with a trap (see sense 6 of n.). trap-shooter a person who practises trap-shooting. trap-shooting the sport of shooting at objects released from a trap. øøtraplike adj. [OE treppe, tróppe, rel. to MDu. trappe, med.L trappa, of uncert. orig.]