trigger

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈtɹɪɡəː/ / [ˈtɹ̝̊ʷɪɡəː] / [ˈt̠ɹ̠̊˔ʷɪɡəː]

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

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

A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.
“Just pull the trigger.”
“[W]e pull'd aſide the Tricker, and obſerv'd, that according to our expectation the force of the Spring of the Lock vvas not ſenſibly abated by the abſence of the Air.”
A similar device used to activate any mechanism.
An event that initiates others, or incites a response.
“Sleeping in an unfamiliar room can be a trigger for sleepwalking.”
An event that initiates others, or incites a response.
A concept or image that upsets somebody by sparking a negative emotional response.
“emotional trigger”
“I can't watch that violent film. Blood is one of my triggers.”
An event, experience or other stimulus that initiates a traumatic memory or a strong reaction in a person.
An electronic transducer allowing a drum, cymbal, etc. to control an electronic drum unit or similar device.
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.
A pulse in an electronic circuit that initiates some component.
An SQL procedure that may be initiated when a record is inserted, updated or deleted; typically used to maintain referential integrity.
A catch to hold the wheel of a carriage on a declivity.
An argument whose semantic role determines the choice of a verbal affix, in certain Austronesian languages.

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

To fire (a weapon).
“A U235 bomb would therefore need to incorporate a gun weighing ten tons. Then there was the question of initiating or triggering the bomb.”
To cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result.
“The controversial article triggered a deluge of angry letters from readers.”
“The accident followed torrential early morning rain that triggered widespread flooding across Scotland's tracks, including south of Carmont.”
To spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (a person).
“This story contains a rape scene and may be triggering for rape victims.”
“People get triggered simply by seeing a Trump.”
To activate; to become active.
“Sodium nitrite (750 ppm) was added after the alarm triggered at three hours, and corrosion did not occur for over eight hours.”