Chiefly in pl. trappings. [f. TRAP sb.2 and v.2 + -ING1.] A cloth or covering spread over the harness or saddle of a horse or other beast of burden, often gaily ornamented; a caparison.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVIII. xli. (Bodl. MS.). The colte is nouȝt … ihiȝt wiþ trappinge and gay harneys.
1553. Eden, Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.), 15, margin. The riche trapping of the kinges horse.
1764. Harmer, Observ., XXV. vi. 283. On a stately steed, with a rich saddle and fine trappings.
1817. Moore, Lalla R. (1824), 3. The embroidered trappings of the elephants.
b. transf. Chiefly pl. ‘Omaments; dress; embellishments; external, superficial, and trifling decoration’ (J.). Also fig.
1596. Nashe, Saffron Walden, 114. Hee is neuer wont to keep anie man longer than the sute lasteth he brings with him, and then turne him to grasse and get one in newe trappings.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., V. i. 10. Duke. Belong you to the Lady Oliuia, friends? Clo. I sir, we are some of her trappings. Ibid. (1602), Ham., I. ii. 86. These, but the Trappings, and the Suites of woe.
1685. Dryden, Thren. August., 330. He needs no Trappings of fictitious Fame.
1791. Boswell, Johnson, an. 1758 (1906), I. 201. A motto, the usual trapping of periodical papers.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, IV. 167. The stately trapping of some prince.
1859. Helps, Friends in C., Ser. II. II. vii. 136. To strip a man of all his trappings of birth, rank, and education.
Hence † Trappinged a., adorned with trappings.
1654. Gayton, Pleas. Notes, IV. xv. 252. What regard would be given to a Praetor without his trapping’d horse, the Gold Chain, and the Cap of maintenance?
