entrapment
entrapment Lexical Profile
entrapment Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The practice by law enforcement agents of inducing or luring a person to commit a crime that they would otherwise have been unlikely or unwilling to commit, in order to secure a prosecution.
"The defense attorney argued that the undercover operation crossed the line into illegal entrapment."
The state of being caught in or unable to escape from a physical trap, confined space, or difficult situation.
"Safety regulations require pool drains to have protective covers to prevent accidental entrapment."
In medicine, the abnormal compression or constriction of a peripheral nerve, blood vessel, or other anatomical structure by surrounding tissues.
"Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common form of nerve entrapment in the wrist."
Word Nuance & Usage
In criminal law, entrapment does not merely mean using an undercover operation or providing an opportunity to commit a crime; it specifically requires that government agents originate the criminal design and induce an otherwise law-abiding person to commit an offense they were not predisposed to commit.
• Rhymes for entrapment
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the late 16th century, formed in English from the verb 'entrap' (borrowed from Old French 'entraper', from 'en-' + 'trappe' meaning 'snare') and the noun-forming suffix '-ment'.