trappola Italian · revision 38838

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing, derivation|attested=before 1320|origins=frk *trappa}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈtrap.po.la/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''trappola''' ''f'' (plural trappole)^(Wiktionary)

+ Old forms are [[roa-oit|trappula]] (13th century, Rome) and Old Modenese [[roa-oit|tràpola]] (1327).^(DEI|3865)^(GDLI)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[der|frk|*trappa|t=trap]] with a diminutive suffix, like [[m|la-med|trappula]], recorded in 1196.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(GRADIT 2003)^(Wiktionary) The simple form is attested as [[la-lat|trappa]] in the Salic Law, in the clause “Siquis turturem de trappa furaverit”, “if anyone steals a turtle-dove from a trap”.^(Zaccaria 1901)^(Nocentini 2010)^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861) Devoto–Oli, Gabrielli and Devoto call the source [[lng|trappa|t=snare]] instead,^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Gabrielli 2020)^(Devoto 1968|450) and Zingarelli regards the origin of the base word as disputed, perhaps imitative.^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ Nocentini places the word in a Germanic family [[gem-pro|*trapp-]], [[m|gem-pro|*tramp-]] describing walking with small steps, so that a trap was first a device that hinders walking; from the same family come [[trampolo|t=stilt]], [[rattrappire]] and [[tarpare]].^(Nocentini 2010) Zaccaria compares [[goh|trapa|t=noose, snare]] and [[en|trap]].^(Zaccaria 1901) The Frankish word gave [[fr|trappe|t=trapdoor]], [[oc|trapa]], [[ca|trapa]], [[es|trampa]] and [[pt|trapa]].^(Nocentini 2010)^(REW 1935)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ GRADIT dates the word before 1320.^(GRADIT 2003) DELI's first record is the Italian translation of Pietro de' Crescenzi (about 1350), which describes catching mice with traps of hollowed wood in which a heavy stick falls when a small peg gives way.^(DELI 1999)^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The figurative sense “snare, trick” is already in Jacopo Passavanti (1354).^(DELI 1999) Franco Sacchetti tells of a band of children carrying a trap with a mouse in it into the middle of a square.^(GDLI) From the 16th century ''trappola'' could also be a lie told to deceive, a sense Sabatini and Treccani now call regional.^(DEI)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ A colloquial sense, a contraption, tool or vehicle that works badly, is recorded in 1961.^(DELI 1999)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026) Modern technical uses include the explosive booby trap, the ion trap of cathode-ray tubes and, in geology, a structure in which oil collects.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010) Derivatives include ''trappolare'' (15th century) and ''intrappolare'' (16th century).^(Nocentini 2010)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Late 5th or 6th century – ''Trappa'' appears in the Salic Law.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Nocentini 2010)

+ * 1196 – Medieval Latin ''trappula'' is recorded.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zaccaria 1901)

+ * Before 1320 – ''Trappola'' is first recorded in Italian.^(GRADIT 2003)

+ * 1327 – Old Modenese ''tràpola'' is recorded.^(DEI|3865)

+ * About 1350 – The Italian Crescenzi uses it for an animal trap.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1354 – Jacopo Passavanti uses the sense “snare, trick”.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 15th century – ''Trappolare'' is recorded.^(Nocentini 2010)

+ * 1961 – The sense “badly working contraption” is recorded.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|trap]] for catching animals: ''Il contadino mise una trappola nel granaio.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(military)'' A device, especially an explosive one, set off by an unwary victim; a [[m|en|booby trap]].^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(figurative)'' A trick or [[m|en|snare]] set to deceive someone: ''tendere una trappola''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(figurative)'' A situation with no way out: ''sentirsi in trappola''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(colloquial, humorous)'' A machine or vehicle that works badly: ''Quella macchina è una vera trappola.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(regional)'' A lie, a tall story.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''(electronics)'' ''Trappola ionica'', an ion trap in a cathode-ray tube.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(geology)'' A structure of rock strata in which oil or gas collects.^(GRADIT 2003)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[trappolare]]

+ * [[trappolatore]]

+ * [[trappolone]]

+ * [[intrappolare]]

+ * [[trappoleria]]

+ * [[trappoliere]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[trampolo]]

+ * [[rattrappire]]

+ * [[tarpare]]

+ * [[fr|trappe]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}