beartrap

See also: bear trap

English

A beartrap in the sprung position

Alternative forms

• bear trap

Etymology

bear +‎ trap

Noun

beartrap (plural beartraps)

1. (hunting) A large trap used to catch a bear or other mammal, usually as a foot trap.
2. (law enforcement, automotive, traffic) A radar trap used by police to catch speeders.
3. (aviation, nautical) A device that traps a probe on a rotorcraft, securing it to the helicopter deck of a vessel.
4. (aviation, nautical) A system of rotorcraft recovery aboard watercraft in heavy sea states, which uses the beartrap device to land securely and transport the aircraft into the hangar.

Derived terms

• bear-trap dam
• beartrap gate