Crossword Genius

Poles are small traps (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

snares

'traps' is the definition.
(I know this)

'poles are small' is the wordplay.
'poles' becomes 'SN' (North and South poles).
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'sn'+'are'+'s'='SNARES'

(Other definitions for snares that I've seen before include "Traps set by Nasser" , "Game traps" , "Lures or entanglements" , "Animal traps" , "hidden dangers" .)

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