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triggers

 - 3 dictionary results

trig⋅ger

  [trig-er]
Use triggers in a Sentence
–noun
1. a small projecting tongue in a firearm that, when pressed by the finger, actuates the mechanism that discharges the weapon.
2. a device, as a lever, the pulling or pressing of which releases a detent or spring.
3. anything, as an act or event, that serves as a stimulus and initiates or precipitates a reaction or series of reactions.
4. Slang. triggerman.
–verb (used with object)
5. to initiate or precipitate (a chain of events, scientific reaction, psychological process, etc.): Their small protest triggered a mass demonstration.
6. to fire or explode (a gun, missile, etc.) by pulling a trigger or releasing a triggering device: He accidentally triggered his rifle.
–verb (used without object)
7. to release a trigger.
8. to become active; activate.
—Idiom
9. quick on the trigger, Informal. quick to act or respond; impetuous; alert.
Origin:
1615–25; earlier tricker < D trekker, equiv. to trekk(en) to pull + -er -er 1

trig⋅ger⋅man

  [trig-er-muhn, -man]
–noun, plural -men  [-muhn, -men] . Informal.
1. a gangster who specializes in gunning people down.
2. a bodyguard, esp. of a gangster.
Also called trigger.

Origin:
1920–25; trigger + man 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To triggers
trig·ger   (trĭg'ər)   
n.  

    1. The lever pressed by the finger to discharge a firearm.

    2. A similar device used to release or activate a mechanism.

  2. An event that precipitates other events.

  3. Electronics A pulse or circuit that initiates the action of another component.

tr.v.   trig·gered, trig·ger·ing, trig·gers

  1. To set off; initiate: remarks that triggered bitter debates.

  2. To fire or explode (a weapon or an explosive charge).


[Dutch trekker, from Middle Dutch trecker, from trecken, to pull.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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