snare
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a trap made of a loop of wire or rope that tightens around an animal to catch it.
n.a device for capturing small animals, typically consisting of a noose of wire or cord that tightens when pulled.
Simple“The hunter set a wire snare in the woods to catch a rabbit for dinner.”
In context“Wildlife conservationists discovered several illegal snares hidden in the undergrowth, designed to trap small mammals passing through the forest corridor.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.a situation that seems attractive but is actually a trap or a danger.
n.something that leads one into error, debt, or a difficult situation from which it is hard to escape.
Simple“He fell into the snare of borrowing money he could never pay back.”
In context“The politician managed to avoid the snares laid by his opponents during the televised debate, refusing to be drawn into a personal argument.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the set of metal wires stretched across the bottom of a drum that make a rattling sound.
n.a set of gut or metal strings stretched across the lower head of a drum to produce a characteristic crisp, rattling timbre.
Simple“The drummer adjusted the tension of the snare to get a sharper sound.”
In context“By loosening the snare, the percussionist achieved a deeper, more resonant tone suitable for the orchestral piece's somber opening.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a small drum that makes a sharp, rattling sound when hit.
n.a small, cylindrical drum equipped with snares across the bottom head; a snare drum.
Simple“The marching band started the parade with a steady beat on the snare.”
In context“The jazz drummer's intricate brushwork on the snare provided a subtle rhythmic foundation for the saxophone solo.”
Synonymssnare drum - 05 C2 Proficiency
n.a wire loop used by doctors to remove small growths from the body.
n.a surgical instrument with a wire loop that can be tightened to remove polyps or other small tumours.
Simple“The surgeon used a snare to safely remove the polyp during the procedure.”
In context“Advancements in endoscopic technology have allowed for the development of electrified snares that cauterize tissue as they remove it.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to catch an animal in a trap, or to catch a person by using a trick.
v.to catch or involve someone or something in or as if in a snare; to ensnare.
Simple“The police managed to snare the thief after he tried to sell the stolen watch.”
In context“The company hoped to snare a larger share of the market by launching an aggressive new advertising campaign.”
“The brothers were caught in a snare line and died, and the last surviving sister eventually joined another pack.”
From Middle English snare, from Old English sneare (“snare, noose”), from Proto-West Germanic snarhā, from Proto-Germanic snarhǭ (“a sling; loop; noose”). Cognate with Old Norse snara. Also related to German Schnur and Dutch snaar, snoer.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.