| 释义 | [ trig-er ] / ˈtrɪg ər /SEE SYNONYMS FOR trigger ON THESAURUS.COM 
 nouna small projecting tongue in a firearm that, when pressed by the finger, actuates the mechanism that discharges the weapon. a device, as a lever, the pulling or pressing of which releases a detent or spring.anything, as an act or event, that serves as a stimulus and initiates or precipitates a reaction or series of reactions. Slang. triggerman. verb (used with object)to initiate or precipitate (a chain of events, scientific reaction, psychological process, etc.): Their small protest triggered a mass demonstration. 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)to release a trigger. to become active; activate.Idioms for triggerquick on the trigger, Informal. quick to act or respond; impetuous; alert.
Origin of trigger1615–25; earlier tricker<Dutch trekker, equivalent to trekk(en) to pull + -er-er1OTHER WORDS FROM triggerun·trig·gered, adjectiveWords nearby triggertrigeminus, trigeminy, trigeneration, Trigère, trig function, trigger, trigger area, triggered activity, trigger finger, triggerfish, trigger-happyDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020 Example sentences from the Web for triggerPeople felt that crossed all lines, and then it became a story, so there are tipping points that trigger a public response. Laura Poitras on Snowden's Unrevealed Secrets|Marlow Stern|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEASTI was the one to trigger the detonator, and for that I take full responsibility. Hell Hath No Fury Like Valerie Trierweiler, the French President’s Ex|Lizzie Crocker|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEASTEven private institutions, which most likely have less bureaucratic hurdles to deal with, have been slow to pull the trigger. Millions Promised for Ebola Not Adding Up|Abby Haglage|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEASTBut witnesses say Muataz definitely was the shooter, and he even went so far as to apologize to Glick before pulling the trigger. In Jerusalem Home Demolitions, the Biblical Justice of Revenge|Creede Newton|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But this Pavlovian trigger cannot be effective indefinitely. The Nuclear Deal That Iran’s Regime Fears Most|Djavad Khadem|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEASTBut it was too late: the finger had pulled the trigger and the ball sped true. To Leeward|F. Marion CrawfordHis finger tightened on the trigger, but he caught himself in time. The Lone Ranger Rides|Fran StrikerI raised mine to my shoulder, and pointing it toward a conspicuous savage, pulled the trigger. Bill Biddon, Trapper|Edward S. EllisAs I pulled the trigger of my musket I tried to shout, but my throat was as dry as a furnace and I could only gasp. For The Honor Of France|Thomas A. JanvierHe already had his forefinger on the trigger of his "single-barrel." Anderson Crow, Detective|George Barr McCutcheon
British Dictionary definitions for trigger
 nouna small projecting lever that activates the firing mechanism of a firearm machinery a device that releases a spring-loaded mechanism or a similar arrangement any event that sets a course of action in motionverb (tr)(usually foll by off) to give rise (to); set off to fire or set in motion by or as by pulling a triggerDerived forms of triggertriggered, adjectivetriggerless, adjectiveWord Origin for triggerC17 tricker, from Dutch trekker, from trekken to pull; see trekCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Idioms and Phrases with trigger
 In addition to the idiom beginning with triggeralso see:  quick on the draw (trigger)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Words related to triggerprompt, bring about, start, produce, spark, provoke, cause, generate, set off, elicit, activate, give rise to, set in motion |