Trigger
/ˈtrɪɡ.ər/noun
A device or mechanism that releases or activates something; also, to cause something to start or happen.
Did you know?The word first appears in English as a mechanical term for a gun part, and its exact origin is uncertain, which makes it a linguistic mystery rather than a hidden occult code.
Etymological Timeline
Early 17th Century
English
trigger
“A small catch or lever in a firearm mechanism that releases the hammer or firing action.”
17th Century
English
trigger
“By extension, any device that sets off a mechanism.”
19th Century
English
trigger
“Something that initiates an event or response.”
20th Century
English
trigger
“A stimulus that provokes an emotional or psychological reaction.”