English
Etymology
compound hair + trigger
Pronunciation
(Canada) IPA|/�h�r�trɪg�/
Noun
en-noun
#a trigger that will set off a firearm when even a very small pressure is applied
#*1847: Francis Parkman, The Oregon Trail
#*:... the hunter brings the sight of his rifle to bear; lightly and delicately his finger presses upon the hair-trigger.
#*1872: Mark Twain, Roughing It
#*:Is your laugh hung on a hair-trigger?--that is, is it critical, or can you get it off easy?
Adjective
en-adj|-
#unstable, in a situation that could be worsened by the slightest mistake
#easy|easily angered, having a short temper
#*1922: Peter B. Kyne, Cappy Rick Retires
#*:"Gus," the latter began, "am I right in assuming that you possess a reasonable amount of influence with that hair-trigger partner of yours, Live Wire Luiz?"
vi:hair-trigger
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