▪ I. entrap, v.1
(ɛnˈtræp)
Forms: 6–7 entrappe, 6–8 intrap(pe, 6– entrap.
[ad. OF. entraper, entrapper, f. en- (see en-1) + trappe trap.]
1. trans. To catch in or as in a trap. Also transf. and fig. to bring unawares into a position of difficulty or danger; to bring (a person) into one's power by artifice.
| α 1590–6 Spenser F.Q. (J.), That guileful net In which..eyes entrapped are. 1598 Barret Theor. Warres i. ii. 9 Being first entrapped and foundred with the like vice of drunkennesse. 1713 J. Warder True Amazons 55 Many [Wasps in Pots] will be entrap'd. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) IV. 272 The wild elephant, upon seeing himself entrapped in this manner, instantly attempts to use violence. 1835 Kirby Hab. & Inst. Anim. xix, Spiders were divided..according to the mode in which they entrap or seize their prey. 1835 Lytton Rienzi x. v. 419 He had entrapped the confidence of another. 1860 Tyndall Glac. ii. §27. 376 The residue of the air originally entrapped in the interstices of the snow. 1868 J. H. Blunt Ref. Ch. Eng. I. 137 The king was trying to entrap the Pope. |
| β 1534 Barnes Supplic. Hen. VIII (R.), Neither to intrappe them, nor betray them. 1561 J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) Pref. 7 The seconde [persecution]..which intrapped also the Authour of this worke. a 1649 Drummond of Hawthornden Jas. V, Wks. 109 This interview was to intrap his person. 1678 Wanley Wond. Lit. World v. ii. §59. 471/1 Manuel..was..intrapped in the straights of Cilicia, and his Army miserably cut off. |
b. To beguile, bring by artifice to or into.
| 1851 Hussey Papal Power i. 38 Having been at first persuaded or entrapped, into an approval of Pelagius' doctrines. 1868 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) II. viii. 261 Entrapping men to destruction by the literal fulfilment of an oath. 1884 Manch. Exam. 14 June 4/8 Entrapping the Legislature into conclusions which are not openly declared. |
2. With reference to speech: To involve in contradiction, draw into an erroneous statement or compromising admission.
| a 1611 Bible Ecclus. viii. 11 Rise not vp (in anger) at the presence of an iniurious person, least he lie in waite to entrap thee in thy words. a 1714 Sharp Serm. (1754) IV. viii. 139 The Pharisees and Herodians..had taken counsel together how they might entrap our Saviour in his talk. 1870 Bowen Logic ix. 291 Then the respondent is entrapped whether he answer in the Affirmative or the Negative. |
▪ II. † enˈtrap, v.2 Obs. rare.
[f. en-1 + trap v.]
trans. To furnish with trappings.
| 1654 R. Codrington tr. Hist. Ivstine 534 He did ride..in a Chariot drawn with two horses richly entrapped. |