Ploy and Trap

noun

• An opening remark intended to secure an advantage for the speaker.
  • synonyms: gambit
• A maneuver in a game or conversation.
  • synonyms: gambit, stratagem

• (v.i.) To form a column from a line of troops on some designated subdivision; -- the opposite of deploy.
• (n.) Sport; frolic.

noun

• A device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned.
• Drain consisting of a U-shaped section of drainpipe that holds liquid and so prevents a return flow of sewer gas.
• Something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares.
  • usage: "the exam was full of trap questions"; "it was all a snare and delusion"
  • synonyms: snare
• A device to hurl clay pigeons into the air for trapshooters.
• The act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise.
  • synonyms: ambush, ambuscade, lying in wait
• Informal terms for the mouth.
  • synonyms: cakehole, hole, maw, yap, gob
• A light two-wheeled carriage.
• A hazard on a golf course.
  • synonyms: bunker, sand trap

verb

• Place in a confining or embarrassing position.
  • usage: "He was trapped in a difficult situation"
  • synonyms: pin down
• Catch in or as if in a trap.
  • usage: "The men trap foxes"
  • synonyms: entrap, snare, ensnare, trammel
• Hold or catch as if in a trap.
  • usage: "The gaps between the teeth trap food particles"
• To hold fast or prevent from moving.
  • usage: "The child was pinned under the fallen tree"
  • synonyms: pin, immobilize, immobilise

• (v.t.) To provide with a trap; as, to trap a drain; to trap a sewer pipe. See 4th Trap, 5.
• (v.t.) Fig.: To insnare; to take by stratagem; to entrap.
• (n.) The game of trapball.
• (n.) A wagon or other vehicle.
• (n.) A machine or contrivance that shuts suddenly, as with a spring, used for taking game or other animals; as, a trap for foxes.
• (n.) A wooden instrument shaped somewhat like a shoe, used in the game of trapball. It consists of a pivoted arm on one end of which is placed the ball to be thrown into the air by striking the other end. Also, a machine for throwing into the air glass balls, clay pigeons, etc., to be shot at.
• (v.t.) To dress with ornaments; to adorn; -- said especially of horses.
• (n.) A bend, sag or partitioned chamber, in a drain, soil pipe, sewer, etc., arranged so that the liquid contents form a seal which prevents passage of air or gas, but permits the flow of liquids.
• (n.) A place in a water pipe, pump, etc., where air accumulates for want of an outlet.
• (a.) Of or pertaining to trap rock; as, a trap dike.
• (v.i.) To set traps for game; to make a business of trapping game; as, to trap for beaver.
• (n.) Fig.: A snare; an ambush; a stratagem; any device by which one may be caught unawares.
• (n.) An old term rather loosely used to designate various dark-colored, heavy igneous rocks, including especially the feldspathic-augitic rocks, basalt, dolerite, amygdaloid, etc., but including also some kinds of diorite. Called also trap rock.
• (n.) A kind of movable stepladder.
• (v.t.) To catch in a trap or traps; as, to trap foxes.