noun / verb
snare
SNAIR/sner/
A trap for catching someone or something, especially a looped noose.
The cord snare holds an open loop across the approaching rabbit's trail.
Etymology
Old English snearu named a noose for catching animals. That concrete image of entanglement extended to anything that traps someone, including a concealed danger or deceptive scheme.
In context
Fire Light was a snare once they got too close there was no escape from it
More examples
- A loop of wire forms a snare for rabbits.
- Poachers snared a deer near the river.
- The scam snares people with promises of easy money.
Forms
snare · snares · snared · snaring
ensnare verb — To catch or hold in a trap.