provocation
UK: ˌprɒvəˈkeɪʃən | US: ˌprɑːvəˈkeɪʃən
n. an action or speech that deliberately annoys or angers someone
n. something that incites or stirs up a reaction, often negative
n. (law) an act that justifies retaliation or defense
provocation = pro<forward> + voc<call> + ation<noun suffix>
- pro<forward>: From Latin pro-, meaning "forward" or "in favor of."
- voc<call>: From Latin vocare, meaning "to call" or "to summon."
- ation<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns indicating an action or process.
Etymology Origin:
The word provocation traces back to Latin provocatio, combining pro- (forward) and vocare (to call). It originally referred to a legal or public challenge, such as summoning someone to defend their actions. Over time, it broadened to mean any act that incites a reaction, often anger or defiance. The logic is clear: to "call forward" is to deliberately stir a response.
His rude comment was seen as a provocation, sparking an argument.
The protest was a provocation against the government’s policies.
She ignored his provocations to avoid escalating the conflict.
In court, the defendant claimed he acted under provocation.
The article was written as a provocation to challenge readers’ beliefs.