trappa

Forms

trappa f (genitive trappae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

It is a borrowing from Germanic, found as early as the Lex Salica.^[1] Köbler traces it, with a query, to Lombardic *trappa (“trap, snare”),^[2] and Wiktionary compares Old English træppe (“snare, trap”).^[1] The DMLBS refers the British medieval word to Middle English trappe (“trap”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler finds it first in the Lex Salica, which he dates to 507–511 with a query, and in the Frankish formularies and charters,^[2] as a word for a trap or snare.^[2][1]

Semantic evolution

Niermeyer records four senses in early medieval Latin: a trap for birds, a trapdoor, a hidden oven and a cellar.^[4] In British records it is a snare set for game in the royal forests and parks, and a trapdoor, also one in a prison.^[3] It lives on in Old French trape and French trappe.^[1]

Timeline

• 507–511? – The Lex Salica has the word.^[2][1]
• 1241 – An English royal order provides for a new porch before the queen's chamber with a trapdoor.^[3]
• 1251 – English forest records tell of foresters who found a trap set in the king's park.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Late Latin, Medieval Latin) A trap or snare, especially one for birds or game.^[4][3][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) A trapdoor.^[4][3][1]
3. (Medieval Latin) A hidden oven.^[4]
4. (Medieval Latin) A cellar.^[4]

Related words

• English trap

Usage notes

Medieval spellings include trapa and treppa.^[4][2]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ a b c d e f Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c d e f Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill