Snare n.
 1. A contrivance, often consisting of a noose of cord, or the like, by which a bird or other animal may be entangled and caught; a trap; a gin.
 2. Hence, anything by which one is entangled and brought into trouble.
 If thou retire, the Dauphin, well appointed,
 Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee.   --Shak.
 3. The gut or string stretched across the lower head of a drum.
 4. Med. An instrument, consisting usually of a wireloop or noose, for removing tumors, etc., by avulsion.
 Snare drum, the smaller common military drum, as distinguished from the bass drum; -- so called because (in order to render it more resonant) it has stretched across its lower head a catgut string or strings.


 snare drum
      n : a small drum with two heads and a snare stretched across the
          lower head [syn: snare, side drum]