/ sneə(r); NAmE sner/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a device used for catching small animals and birds, especially one that holds their leg so that they cannot escape
SYN trap
2.
( formal ) a situation which seems attractive but is unpleasant and difficult to escape from
3.
the metal strings that are stretched across the bottom of a snare drum
■ verb
[ vn ] to catch sth, especially an animal, in a snare
SYN trap :
to snare a rabbit
( figurative )
Her one thought was to snare a rich husband.
( figurative )
He found himself snared in a web of intrigue.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Old English sneare , from Old Norse snara . Sense 3 is probably from Middle Low German , Middle Dutch snare harp string.