To catch someone in a trap or a deceptive situation; to trap or deceive into a difficult circumstance.
From 'en-' (causative prefix) + 'snare' (from Old Norse 'snara'). The word emerged in Middle English, combining the prefix meaning 'to cause to be in' with 'snare,' originally referring to traps set for hunting animals, later extended metaphorically to deception.
Medieval English loved 'en-' verbs for hunting and warfare: 'ensnare,' 'entangle,' 'entoil'—they all captured the moment of suddenly catching an enemy or prey, which is why these words retained power while others faded.
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