Snare - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Snare :  (noun)
1: 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]
2: a small drum with two heads and a snare stretched across the lower head [syn: snare drum, side drum]
3: a surgical instrument consisting of wire hoop that can be drawn tight around the base of polyps or small tumors to sever them; used especially in body cavities
4: strings stretched across the lower head of a snare drum; they make a rattling sound when the drum is hit
5: a trap for birds or small mammals; often has a noose [syn: gin, noose] (verb)
1: catch in or as if in a trap; "The men trap foxes" [syn: trap, entrap, ensnare, trammel]
2: entice and trap; "The car salesman had snared three potential customers" [syn: hook]

Based on WordNet 2.0

Snare : \Snare\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Snared; p. pr. & vb. n. Snaring.] To catch with a snare; to insnare; to entangle; hence, to bring into unexpected evil, perplexity, or danger.

Lest that too heavenly form . . . snare them. --Milton.

The mournful crocodile With sorrow snares relenting passengers. --Shak.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Snare : \Snare\, n. [AS. sneara cord, a string; akin to D. snoer, G. schnur, OHG. snour a cord, snarahha a noose, Dan. snare, Sw. & Icel. snara, Goth. sn?rj? a basket; and probably also to E. needle. See Needle, and cf. Snarl to entangle.] 1. A contrivance, often consisting of a noose of cord, or the like, by which a bird or other animal may be entangled and caught; a trap; a gin.

2. Hence, anything by which one is entangled and brought into trouble.

If thou retire, the Dauphin, well appointed, Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee. --Shak.

3. The gut or string stretched across the lower head of a drum.

4. (Med.) An instrument, consisting usually of a wireloop or noose, for removing tumors, etc., by avulsion.

Snare drum, the smaller common military drum, as distinguished from the bass drum; -- so called because (in order to render it more resonant) it has stretched across its lower head a catgut string or strings.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Snare :  The expression (Amos 3:5), "Shall one take up a snare from the earth?" etc. (Authorized Version), ought to be, as in the Revised Version, "Shall a snare spring up from the ground?" etc. (See GIN.)



Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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