Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An explosive device designed to be triggered when an unsuspecting victim touches or disturbs a seemingly harmless object.
  • noun A situation that catches one off guard; a pitfall.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun military An antipersonnel device deliberately hidden or disguised as a harmless object
  • noun by extension An unforeseen source of danger; a pitfall

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an explosive mine hidden underground; explodes when stepped on or driven over
  • noun an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From booby ("dunce, idiot").

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Examples

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