| Snare | n. [ AS. sneara cord, a string; akin to D. snoer, G. schnur, OHG. snour a cord, snarahha a noose, Dan. snare, Sw. & Icel. snara, Goth. sn&unr_;rj&unr_; a basket; and probably also to E. needle. See Needle, and cf. Snarl to entangle. ] 1. A contrivance, often consisting of a noose of cord, or the like, by which a bird or other animal may be entangled and caught; a trap; a gin. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Hence, anything by which one is entangled and brought into trouble. [ 1913 Webster ] If thou retire, the Dauphin, well appointed,
Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. The gut or string stretched across the lower head of a drum. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Med.) An instrument, consisting usually of a wireloop or noose, for removing tumors, etc., by avulsion. [ 1913 Webster ]
Snare drum, the smaller common military drum, as distinguished from the bass drum; -- so called because (in order to render it more resonant) it has stretched across its lower head a catgut string or strings. [ 1913 Webster ]
|
| Snare | v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Snared p. pr. & vb. n. Snaring. ] To catch with a snare; to insnare; to entangle; hence, to bring into unexpected evil, perplexity, or danger. [ 1913 Webster ] Lest that too heavenly form . . . snare them. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] The mournful crocodile
With sorrow snares relenting passengers. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] |
