Main Entry:

²trap

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

trapped; trap·ping

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 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 traps3 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 verb1: to engage in trapping animals (as for furs)2: to make a defensive trap in basketball

synonyms see catch

— trap·per noun