Snare

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɛə(r)

Origin

From Late Old English sneare, from Old Norse snara.

Full definition of snare

Noun

1. A trap made from a loop of wire, string, or leather.
2. (rare) A mental or psychological trap; usually in the phrase a snare and a delusion.
• ShakespeareIf thou retire, the Dauphin, well appointed,
  Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee.
• 1719, Daniel Defoe, ...and I had now lived two years under this uneasiness, which, indeed, made my life much less comfortable than it was before, as may be well imagined by any who know what it is to live in the constant snare of the fear of man.
3. (veterinary) A loop of cord used in obstetric cases, to hold or to pull a fetus from the mother animal.
4. (music) A set of chains strung across the bottom of a drum to create a rattling sound.
5. (music) A snare drum.

Verb

1. to catch or hold, especially with a loop.
• MiltonLest that too heavenly form ... snare them.
• ShakespeareThe mournful crocodile
  With sorrow snares relenting passengers.

Related terms

• ensnare
• snare drum

Anagrams

• earns, nares, nears, RNase, saner