Middle English Dictionary Entry
bitrappen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | bitrappen v. Also bitreppen. |
| Etymology | From trappe a trap. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To close in upon (an enemy) on all sides, esp. by surprise or a ruse; catch as in a trap; (b) to ensnare or trap (sb.); deceive, mislead.
Associated quotations
a
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)3142 : Aȝen hem þay toke þe way, & by-trapd hem ther al & some.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)3731 : Þan þay be-trappede hym alle aboute, Ac..ne wil he noȝt be cauȝte.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1630 : To hafe betrappede with a trayne oure trauelande knyghttez.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)14.375 : Anon there he was betrapped Amonges two thowsend.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)133 : Whan j sih me thus bitrapped..Wel j mihte crye allas.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)212/26 : To betrappe the kynges sondismen.
b
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)47a : For beo ha bitrept [Cleo: bitrepped; Tit: bitrappet] utewið, nis þer bute leade forð toward te..weartreo of helle.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.1358 : Love..Which hath here hertes so betrapped.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.4915 : As he which hadde schape his net, Hire innocence to betrappe.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)499 : Trappyd or be-trappyd: Deceptus, illaqueatus, decipulatus.
- c1450 Hoccl.Cupid (Frf 16)252 : Other mo..betrapped wer for aght they coude teche.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2902 : Pride hath vs betrapped! Fy o pride!
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1169/14 : We demed that we were betrapped with som treson.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.936 : Lest they betrappe the into her snare.
- a1500 Fortune alas (Hrl 7333)139 : Or þat the fende oure soulys þan betrappe, Helpe blisfull quene!