See Also: instigate(dictionary)
instigate(dictionary)

instigate (iou)



instigate verb trans. M16.
[Latin instigat- pa. ppl stem of instigare, formed as IN-2 + stigare prick, incite: see -ATE3.]
1. Urge on, incite, (a person to an action, to do esp. something evil). M16.
B. Jowett You must not instigate your elders to a breach of faith.
2. Bring about, initiate, provoke. M19.
E. Feinstein He instigated the relationship himself by calling upon Marina at home.
instigative adjective (rare) tending to instigate; stimulative, provoking: M17.
instigator noun a person who instigates something; an inciter: L16.
insti'gatrix noun (rare), pl. -trices , a female instigator E17.