trigger finger

American  

noun

1. any finger, usually the forefinger, that presses the trigger of a gun.

2. either forefinger, depending on which hand is dominant.

3. Pathology. difficulty in straightening or bending a ring finger, caused by inflammation and thickening of its tendon.

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Etymology

Origin of trigger finger

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

In court papers, both sides described bump stocks as an add-on to a rifle that uses recoil to “bump” the gun back into the trigger finger of the shooter — firing faster than usual.

From Seattle Times

That definition rested on a single pull of the trigger, not of the trigger finger, the majority of the court wrote.

From Seattle Times

Now dealing with an injury to what is literally his trigger finger, Herbert is looking at trying to come back for a team that is 5-8 and all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

From Los Angeles Times

"While the soft headline inflation print gives the Fed the go-ahead to pause its rate hiking cycle on Thursday, sticky core inflation will keep the Fed's hawkish trigger finger hovering over the rate hike button in the months ahead," said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG.

From Reuters

A shooter must maintain constant forward pressure on the weapon with the non-shooting hand, and constant pressure on the trigger with the trigger finger, according to court records.

From Seattle Times