Hypertext Webster Gateway: "trigger"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Trigger \Trig"ger\, n. [For older tricker, from D. trekker, fr.
trekken to draw, pull. See {Trick}, n.]
1. A catch to hold the wheel of a carriage on a declivity.
2. (Mech.) 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.
{Trigger fish} (Zo["o]l.), a large plectognath fish
({Balistes Carolinensis} or {B. 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}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
trigger
n 1: lever that activates the firing mechanism of a gun [syn: {gun
trigger}]
2: an act that sets in motion some course of events [syn: {induction},
{initiation}]
v 1: actuate; "trigger a reaction" [syn: {trip}, {actuate}, {activate},
{set off}, {spark off}, {spark}, {trigger off}, {touch
off}]
2: release or pull the trigger on; "Trigger a gun"
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