Dictionary

rattrap en · NOUN

Etymology

From Middle English rat trappe; equivalent to rat + trap.

Meanings

1. A device (trap) used to catch rats.
   • ... the whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages - was nothing but a big rattrap. It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the rattrap offered cheese and pork, and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything came to an end. (Can we date this quote?), Selma Lagerlöf, The Rattrap:
2. A dilapidated building, a place that is run down and unsanitary.
3. A difficult, entangling situation.
4. A type of bicycle pedal made of metal with no rubber.

Forms

Coordinates

mouse trap · mousetrap

Hypernyms

device · trap

Relateds

rat poison · rat terrier · rat-trap cheese · ratting

Translations (17)

fi rotanloukku (device used to catch rats) · fr piège à rats (device used to catch rats) · ja 鼠落とし (device used to catch rats) · de Rattenfalle (device used to catch rats) · mn гаранга (device used to catch rats) · vo ratiträp (device used to catch rats) · ml എലിക്കെണി (device used to catch rats) · pl pułapka na myszy (device used to catch rats) · ru крысоло́вка (device used to catch rats) · mn хулганы хавх (device used to catch rats) · ko 쥐덫 (device used to catch rats) · ja ネズミ捕り (device used to catch rats) · ru безвыходное положение (difficult, entangling situation) · fr ratière (device used to catch rats) · bg капа́н за плъ́хове (device used to catch rats) · vi bẫy chuột (device used to catch rats) · be нявыкрутка (difficult, entangling situation)