First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1snare
noun \ˈsner\
: a device that has a loop (called a noose) which gets smaller when the end of it is pulled and that is used to catch animals : a kind of trap
: a position or situation from which it is difficult to escape
Full Definition of SNARE
1
2
[probably from Dutch snaar, literally, cord; akin to Old High German snuor] a : one of the catgut strings or metal spirals of a snare drum b : snare drum
3
: a surgical instrument consisting usually of a wire loop constricted by a mechanism in the handle and used for removing tissue masses (as tonsils)
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Origin of SNARE
Middle English, from Old English sneare, probably from Old Norse snara; akin to Old High German snuor cord and perhaps to Greek narkē numbness
Rhymes with SNARE
air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare
2snare
transitive verb
: to catch (an animal) in a snare
: to cause (something) to become caught in something (such as a net or trap)
: to win or get (something) by skillful action or good luck
snaredsnar·ing
Full Definition of SNARE
1
a : to capture by or as if by use of a snare b : to win or attain by artful or skillful maneuvers
2
: to entangle or hold as if in a snare <any object that snared his eye — Current Biography>
— snar·er noun
First Known Use of SNARE
14th century
Related to SNARE
Synonym Discussion of SNARE
catch, capture, trap, snare, entrap, ensnare, bag mean to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing. catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding <caught the dog as it ran by>. capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty <capture an enemy stronghold>. trap, snare, entrap, ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing <trap animals> <snared butterflies with a net>. entrap and ensnare more often are figurative <entrapped the witness with a trick question> <a sting operation that ensnared burglars>. bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey <bagged a brace of pheasants>.
SNARE Defined for Kids
1snare
noun \ˈsner\
Definition of SNARE for Kids
1
: a trap (as a noose) for catching small animals and birds
2
: something that traps or deceives
2snare
verb
snaredsnar·ing
Definition of SNARE for Kids
: to catch or entangle by or as if by use of a trap for catching small animals
Medical Dictionary
snare
noun \ˈsna(ə)r, ˈsne(ə)r\
Medical Definition of SNARE
: a surgical instrument consisting usually of a wire loop constricted by a mechanism in the handle and used for removing tissue masses (as tonsils or polyps)
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