trap-ball
(ˈtræpbɔːl)
[f. trap n.1 + ball n.1]
A game in which a ball, placed upon one end (slightly hollowed) of a trap (trap n.1 3), is thrown into the air by the batsman striking the other end with his bat, with which he then hits the ball away.
| 1658 Churchw. Acc. St. Marg. Westminster (Nichols 1797) 64 One that played at trap-ball on the Lords day. 1740 Chesterfield Lett. (1792) I. lxxi. 197 You will desire to excell all boys of your age at cricket, or trap-ball, as well as in learning. 1814 Sporting Mag. XLIII. 240 A game of trap-ball was played this month on the ice. 1909 Daily Chron. 27 Aug. 7/3 An inn..where..trap-ball is played on the lawn... The dictionary already calls it ‘an old game’. |
| attrib. 1845 J. T. Smith Bk. Rainy Day (1861) 18 On the eastern side of the house there was a trap-ball-ground. |
b. A ball used in this game.
rare.
| 1713 S. Sewall Diary 6 June, Boston..came down a Spit, and clear'd the Leaden throat, by thrusting out a Trap-Ball that stuck there. |