| 释义 |
ˈhair-trigger
a. A secondary trigger in a firearm, which acts by setting free a spring mechanism called the hair, and being delicately adjusted, releases the main trigger by very slight pressure.
1830E. Campbell Dict. Mil. Sc. 249 The hair trigger, when set, lets off the cock by the slightest touch; whereas the common trigger requires a greater degree of force. 1836T. Hook G. Gurney II. 192 My pistol, which had the hair trigger set, went off. 1851Offic. Catal. Gt. Exhib. 353 Double rifle..with single hair-trigger.
fig.1876‘Mark Twain’ Tom Sawyer 226 The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair⁓trigger. 1894Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet 23 Her laugh was hung on a hair trigger, to go off at every jest and fancy.
b. attrib.: see quots. Also hair-trigger flower, an Australian plant of the genus Stylidium, having a very sensitive column of stamens, which move from side to side on the slightest touch. (Treas. Bot. 1866.)
1834M. Edgeworth Tour Connemara (1950) 4, I had been much amused by my father's account of Dick Martin—‘Hairtrigger Dick’. 1886Pall Mall G. 28 May 4/2 What is known in stage parlance as a hair-trigger audience—an audience, that is, of play-goers experienced enough to recognize every delicate bit of acting or skilful contrivance of stage-management. 1892Fitzpatrick Secr. Service under Pitt xxi. 331 His temper was of as hair-trigger a character as the pistols which he carried. 1948C. Day Lewis Poems 1943–1947 60 The quick-set ears, the hair-trigger nerves. 1968Observer 1 Sept. 8/7 A hair-trigger laugh.
Hence ˈhair-triggered a., having a hair trigger;also hair-triggerish, -triggery adjs.
1806Balance 7 Jan. (Th.), I know not whether *hair⁓triggered pistols are in use in Penn. 1824Scott St. Ronan's xii, There are your hair-triggered rifles, that go off just at the right moment. 1937L. C. Douglas Forgive our Trespasses xv. 304 Intolerant, irascible, pig⁓headed, hair-triggered. 1945Daily Express 4 June 2/7 The A.A. gunners..had become so hair-triggered that no Allied pilot dare come anywhere near.
1928Galsworthy Swan Song ii. vi. 162 ‘I admit,’ said Michael, unhappily, ‘it's all *hair-triggerish.’ 1937L. C. Douglas Forgive our Trespasses ii. 41 He is always so autocratic and *hair-triggery. |