Attrap

/əˈtræp/ verb

Definition

To dress up elaborately or ornament excessively; to trick or ensnare someone.

Etymology

From Old French 'attraper' (a- 'to' + traper 'to trap'). Originally meant to catch in a trap, then evolved to mean dressing up or adorning with many decorations as if caught by frills and ornaments.

Kelly Says

Shakespeare's time loved this word for describing fancy, overdone clothing—like someone so covered in ribbons and jewels they looked trapped in their own outfit! It's a clever metaphor: the more you decorate yourself, the more confined you become.

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