entrap

Everyday

1. To entrap someone or something is to catch them in a trap. tree →
2. To entrap someone is to trick them into doing something wrong, especially so they can be caught. tree →
3. (law) Entrapment is when police unfairly trick someone into committing a crime. tree →

In the lessons

Stories, nature, crime and law. Tells the reader there is a trick or trap. Phrases: entrapped by, police entrapment.

Examples

• The hunters tried to entrap the wolf. tree →
• Bubbles of air were entrapped in the ice. tree →
• The villain's plan was to entrap the detective. tree →
• The judge said the police had used entrapment. tree →
• Flies get entrapped in the sticky paper. tree →
• He felt entrapped by his promise. tree →

Note

Double p: entrapped, entrapping. Formal; everyday word is trap. Entrapment has a special legal meaning in some countries.

In Jewish tradition

It means to catch someone in a trap or snare. In Job it is the terror that catches the wicked.

Interpretation. Job's friend Bildad uses it to say that the wicked are caught by their own wrongdoing. The tradition notes that Job rejects this view.

Examples

• Terrors shall overwhelm him on every side, and shall entrap him at his feet. (Writings JOB.18.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Double p: entrapped, entrapping. Formal; everyday word is trap. Entrapment has a special legal meaning in some countries.