triggerman

American  

[trig-er-muhn, -man] / ˈtrɪg ər mən, -ˌmæn /

noun

Informal.

plural

triggermen

1. a gangster who specializes in gunning people down.

2. a bodyguard, especially of a gangster.

---

triggerman British  

/ ˈtrɪɡəˌmæn /

noun

1. a person, esp a criminal, who shoots another person

---

Etymology

Origin of triggerman

First recorded in 1920–25; trigger + man

Example Sentences

If Jones is not convicted of the special circumstances for being the triggerman, he could be eligible for parole.

From Los Angeles Times

In both cases, the admitted triggerman was a barely literate welder Leasure had met at a gun show.

From Los Angeles Times

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, said “It’s not just about the trigger men. It’s also about those who conspired with the triggermen to do this dastardly deed.”

From Washington Times

"It's not just about the triggermen," he said.

From BBC

Nobody knows the quarterback position more than the recently retired Tom Brady, and he says leadership qualities even outweigh throwing ability for the modern-day triggerman to be successful.

From BBC