trigger

Meaning

Noun

1. A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.
2. A similar device used to activate any mechanism.
3. An event that initiates others, or incites a response.
4. A concept or image that upsets somebody by sparking a negative emotional response.
5. An event, experience or other stimulus that initiates a traumatic memory or a strong reaction in a person.
6. An electronic transducer allowing a drum, cymbal, etc. to control an electronic drum unit or similar device.
7. A device that manually lengthens (or sometimes shortens) the slide or tubing of a brass instrument, allowing the pitch range to be altered while playing.
8. A pulse in an electronic circuit that initiates some component.
9. An SQL procedure that may be initiated when a record is inserted, updated or deleted; typically used to maintain referential integrity.
10. (archaic) A catch to hold the wheel of a carriage on a declivity.
11. An argument whose semantic role determines the choice of a verbal affix, in certain Austronesian languages.

Verb

1. (transitive) To fire (a weapon).
2. (transitive) To cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result.
3. (figuratively, transitive) To spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (a person).
4. (especially, intransitive) To activate; to become active.

Adj

comparative form of trig: more trig

Synonyms

abet

urge

instigate

spur

spur on

encourage

stimulate

stir

stir up

impel

prod

prompt

incite

provocate

touch off

spark

activate

induction

set off

initiation

gun trigger

cause

trip

actuate

trigger off

launcher

initiate

spark off

gunlock

toggle

toggle circuit

toggle switch

triggering

actuating device

filefish

T

flopover

locking device

trip wire

latch hook

starter gear

starting arrangement

starting device

triggering signal

start-up system

holding latch

reaction initiator

ignition primer

initiating mechanism

cocking lever

Translations

gâchette

détente

grilletto

gatillo

Abzug

déclencher

auslösen

herausfordern

espolear

antreiben

aufhetzen

instigar

anspornen

gatilho

instigar

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈtɹɪɡə/

Etymology

Originally tricker, from Dutch trekker (“pull”, noun, as in drawer-pull, bell-pull), from Dutch trekken (“to drag, draw, pull”).