Etymology

trapan

trap·an
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Today it means: An act of entrapping or tricking; an entrapment; also, a thing which entraps or tricks; a snare or trap; a stratagem or trick. Full definition →

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trapan · noun, verb1

The origin of the noun is uncertain; etymology 1, noun sense 2 (“person that traps or tricks another”), the original sense, was probably thieves’ cant and may be derived from trap (noun or verb). Etymology 1, noun sense 1 (“act of entrapping or tricking; thing which entraps or tricks”) is from the verb. The verb is derived from etymology 1, noun sense 2 of the noun.

trapan · noun, verb2

See trepan.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.