[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That ensnares, entraps.

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1630.  R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw., 174. Th’ ensnaring Lawes let Crowes goe free, While simple Doves entangled bee.

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1643.  Milton, Divorce, II. xiv. (1851), 98. The debtor … flattered with insufficient and insnaring discharges.

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a. 1704.  T. Browne, Satire Woman, Wks. 1730, I. 56. Gay laughter now, then sighs, with an ensnaring tear.

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1826.  Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. II. (1863), 328. The insnaring seductions of the tap-room at the King’s Head.

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  Hence Ensnaringly adv., in an ensnaring manner.

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1853.  T. T. Lynch, Self-Improvement, vi. 151. Till wisdom free us, we are insnaringly and slavishly dependent.

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