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tripwire - 2 dictionary results

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:
trip 1 + wire
trip·wire   (trĭp'wīr')   
n.  
  1. A wire stretched near ground level to trip or ensnare an enemy.
  2. A wire or line that activates a weapon, trap, or camera, for example, when pulled.
  3. A small military force whose involvement in hostilities will trigger the use of a larger force.
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