A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1498-1650
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Trap, v. Also: trappe. P.p. trappit. [ME and e.m.E. trap (Gower), trappe (1530); Trap n.1] tr., fig. To trap, ensnare, catch (someone) out.pres. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1135 (Ch.).
This tod I likkin to temptationis … Ay reddie for to trap thame in ane trayne 1550 Knox III 70.
God knowith my mynd is not captiouslie to trappe men 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 140/3.
Lauis are ordainid as reulis of uertuouse & sociall living, & not to be snairis to trappe youre goode subiectisp.p. a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 871 (Asl.).
We ar sa trappit of trespas in the trans Fewe mendis thar maneris 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 201.
The Antichrist … hes ȝow trappit 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 43.
The Erle of Murray … unwarnit, to be suddanely trappit in tressoun 1573 Davidson in Satirical Poems xl 63.
How Hypocrites into thair craftynes Thame selfis hes trappit with greit misereis, Becaus thay did eschew all vprichtnes a1585 Maitland Quarto MS 108/14.
Bot hir bewtie caist in my ein sic mist Hir greit bontie me trappit or I wist a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1804) 163.
Thair was men lying in ambuscaid to haue trappit him 1597 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. XXIV 105.
In cais thai [sc. the murderers] can anywayes be trappit ye will hauld hand in thair apprehensioun 1616 Dalyell Darker Superst. 474.
Being trappit, she could not give answer c1650 Spalding I 260.
He is … trappit for sending sum of the Kingis letteris privatlie to Generall Ruthven
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"Trap v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/trap_v>
