trigger

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: trig=ger

CIDE DICTIONARY

trigger, n. [For older tricker, from D. trekker, fr. trekken to draw, pull. See Trick, n.].

•  A catch to hold the wheel of a carriage on a declivity.  [1913 Webster]
•  A piece, as a lever, which is connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it; especially (Firearms), the part of a lock which is moved by the finger to release the cock and discharge the piece.  [1913 Webster]

Trigger fish (Zoöl.), a large plectognath fish (Balistes Carolinensis or Balistes capriscus) common on the southern coast of the United States, and valued as a food fish in some localities. Its rough skin is used for scouring and polishing in the place of sandpaper. Called also leather jacket, and turbot.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

trigger, n. & v.
--n.
1 a movable device for releasing a spring or catch and so setting off a mechanism (esp. that of a gun).
2 an event, occurrence, etc., that sets off a chain reaction.
--v.tr.
1 (often foll. by off) set (an action or process) in motion; initiate, precipitate.
2 fire (a gun) by the use of a trigger.

Idiom

quick on the trigger quick to respond. trigger fish any usu. tropical marine fish of the family Balistidae with a first dorsal fin-spine which can be depressed by pressing on the second. trigger-happy apt to shoot without or with slight provocation.

Derivative

triggered adj.

Etymology

17th-c. tricker f. Du. trekker f. trekken pull: cf. TREK

ROGET THESAURUS

trigger

Instrument

N instrument, machinery, mechanism, engineering, instrument, organ, tool, implement, utensil, machine, engine, lathe, gin, mill, air engine, caloric engine, heat engine, gear, tackle, tackling, rig, rigging, apparatus, appliances, plant, materiel, harness, trappings, fittings, accouterments, barde, equipment, equipmentage, appointments, furniture, upholstery, chattels, paraphernalia, mechanical powers, lever, leverage, mechanical advantage, crow, crowbar, handspike, gavelock, jemmy, jimmy, arm, limb, wing, oar, paddle, pulley, wheel and axle, wheelwork, clockwork, wheels within wheels, pinion, crank, winch, cam, pedal, capstan, wheel, inclined plane, wedge, screw, spring, mainspring, can hook, glut, heald, heddle, jenny, parbuckle, sprag, water wheel, handle, hilt, haft, shaft, heft, shank, blade, trigger, tiller, helm, treadle, key, turnscrew, screwdriver, knocker, hammer, edge tool, borer, vice, teeth, nail, rope, peg, support, spoon, arms, oar, cardiograph, recapper, snowplow, tenpenny, votograph, instrumental, mechanical, machinal, brachial.