tripwire

[trip-wahyuhr]

trip·wire

[trip-wahyuhr]
noun
1.
a wire used to set off concealed explosives, as one stretched across a footpath to be struck and activated by the foot of an enemy soldier.
2.
a wire that activates a trap, camera, or other device when stepped on, tripped on, or otherwise disturbed.

Origin:
trip1 + wire
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Tripwire is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Collins
World English Dictionary
tripwire (ˈtrɪpˌwaɪə)
 
n
a wire that activates a trap, mine, etc, when tripped over

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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