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noun
a wire used to set off concealed explosives, as one stretched across a footpath to be struck and activated by the foot of an enemy soldier. a wire that activates a trap, camera, or other device when stepped on, tripped on, or otherwise disturbed.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for tripwire
Contemporary Examples of tripwire
The tripwire for an unfolding plot to take control of the flight would be the transponder, operated by a switch beside the pilots.
The transponder is really the tripwire for whatever began to unfold on that jet.
The emotions of Democrats are on a tripwire, ready to react at the slightest provocation.
British Dictionary definitions for tripwirenoun
a wire that activates a trap, mine, etc, when tripped over
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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