man-trap

or man·trap

[ man-trap ]

noun

1. an outdoor trap set for humans, as to snare poachers or trespassers.
2. Slang. a woman who is purported to be dangerously seductive or who schemes in her amours; femme fatale.

Word History and Origins

Origin of man-trap¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

One man was at home with a leg supposed to be wounded by a fall on the slippery roadsbut really, by a man-trap in the woods.

From Project Gutenberg

I was going on to add that I had expected to find Raffles there before me, to settle a wager that we had made about the man-trap.

From Project Gutenberg

Commandingly he repeated them to cabby peeping down through his pygmy man-trap in the roof, and away went the two-wheeler.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, old gal—you sockdologizing old man-trap.

From Project Gutenberg

This hole or well was about ten feet deep, with a sort of man-trap at the bottom.

From Project Gutenberg