trigger

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   put in motion or move to act

   trigger a reaction

2. 2
   noun

   A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.

   Just pull the trigger.

3. 3
   noun

   An event that initiates others, or incites a response.

   Sleeping in an unfamiliar room can be a trigger for sleepwalking.

4. 4
   noun

   A concept or image that upsets somebody by sparking a negative emotional response.

   emotional trigger

5. 5
   verb

   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.

6. 6
   verb

   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.

7. 7
   verb

   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.

8. 8
   verb

   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.

Etymology

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