Last modified on 25 May 2014, at 20:37




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



trigger (plural triggers)

  1. A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.
    Just pull the trigger.
  2. A similar device used to activate any mechanism.
  3. An event that initiates others, or incites a response.
  4. (psychology) An event, experience or other stimulus that initiates a traumatic memory or action in a person.
  5. (electronics) A pulse in an electronic circuit that initiates some component.
  6. (computing) An SQL procedure that may be initiated when a record is inserted, updated or deleted; typically used to maintain referential integrity.
  7. (online gaming) A text string that, when received by a player, will cause the player to execute a certain command.
  8. (archaic) A catch to hold the wheel of a carriage on a declivity.

Derived termsEdit




trigger (third-person singular simple present triggers, present participle triggering, simple past and past participle triggered)

  1. (transitive) to fire a weapon
  2. (transitive) to initiate something
  3. (transitive) to spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (someone)
    This story contains a rape scene and may be triggering for rape victims.


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