Main Entry: ²trap

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): trapped; trap·ping

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to catch or take in or as if in a trap : entrap b : to place in a restricted position : confine <trapped in the burning wreck>
2 : to provide or set (a place) with traps
3 a : stop, hold <these mountains trap rains and fogs generated over the ocean — American Guide Series: California> b : to separate out (as water from steam)
4 a : to catch (as a baseball) immediately after a bounce b : to block out (a defensive football player) by means of a trap c : to stop and gain control of (a soccer ball) with a part of the body other than the hands or armsintransitive verb 1 : to engage in trapping animals (as for furs)
2 : to make a defensive trap in basketball

synonyms see catch

— trap·per noun