1. [n]  a trap for birds or small mammals; often has a noose
2. [n]  strings stretched across the lower head of a snare drum; they make a rattling sound when the drum is hit
3. [n]  a surgical instrument consisting of wire hoop that can be drawn tight around the base of polyps or small tumors to sever them; used especially in body cavities
4. [n]  a small drum with two heads and a snare stretched across the lower head
5. [n]  something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares; "the exam was full of trap questions"; "it was all a snare and delusion"
6. [v]  entice and trap; "The car salesman had snared three potential customers"
7. [v]  catch in or as if in a trap; "The men trap foxes"

1. \Snare\, n. [AS. sneara cord, a string; akin to D. snoer,
   G. schnur, OHG. snour a cord, snarahha a noose, Dan. snare,
   Sw. & Icel. snara, Goth. sn?rj? a basket; and probably also
   to E. needle. See {Needle}, and cf. {Snarl} to entangle.]
   1. A contrivance, often consisting of a noose of cord, or the
      like, by which a bird or other animal may be entangled and
      caught; a trap; a gin.
   2. Hence, anything by which one is entangled and brought into
      trouble.
            If thou retire, the Dauphin, well appointed, Stands
            with the snares of war to tangle thee. --Shak.
   3. The gut or string stretched across the lower head of a
      drum.
   4. (Med.) An instrument, consisting usually of a wireloop or
      noose, for removing tumors, etc., by avulsion.
   {Snare drum}, the smaller common military drum, as
      distinguished from the bass drum; -- so called because (in
      order to render it more resonant) it has stretched across
      its lower head a catgut string or strings.
   

2. \Snare\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Snared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Snaring}.]
   To catch with a snare; to insnare; to entangle; hence, to
   bring into unexpected evil, perplexity, or danger.
         Lest that too heavenly form . . . snare them. --Milton.
         The mournful crocodile With sorrow snares relenting
         passengers.                              --Shak.
   

The expression (Amos 3:5), "Shall one take up a snare from the earth?" etc. (Authorized Version), ought to be, as in the Revised Version, "Shall a snare spring up from the ground?" etc. (See GIN.)