snare Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares
    trap.
    • the exam was full of trap questions
    • it was all a snare and delusion
  2. noun a small drum with two heads and a snare stretched across the lower head
    snare drum; side drum.
  3. noun 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. noun strings stretched across the lower head of a snare drum; they make a rattling sound when the drum is hit
  5. noun a trap for birds or small mammals; often has a slip noose
    gin; noose.
  6. verb catch in or as if in a trap
    trammel; entrap; ensnare; trap.
    • The men trap foxes
  7. verb entice and trap
    hook.
    • The car salesman had snared three potential customers

WordNet

Snare noun
Etymology
AS. sneara cord, a string; akin to D. snoer, G. schnur, OHG. snour a cord, snarahha a noose, Dan. snare, Sw. & Icel. snara, Goth. snrj a basket; and probably also to E. needle. See Needle, and cf. Snarl to entangle.
Definitions
  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 transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Snared ; present participle & verbal noun Snaring
Definitions
  1. 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.

Webster 1913