Instigation
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 The act of instigating, or the state of being instigated; incitement; especially to evil or wickedness. countable, uncountable
"The departure was not unduly prolonged.[…]Within the door Mrs. Spoker hastily imparted to Mrs. Love a few final sentiments on the subject of Divine Intention in the disposition of buckets; farewells and last commiserations; a deep, guttural instigation to the horse; and the wheels of the waggonette crunched heavily away into obscurity."
- 2 deliberate and intentional triggering (of trouble or discord) wordnet
- 3 the verbal act of urging on wordnet
Example
More examples"The departure was not unduly prolonged.[…]Within the door Mrs. Spoker hastily imparted to Mrs. Love a few final sentiments on the subject of Divine Intention in the disposition of buckets; farewells and last commiserations; a deep, guttural instigation to the horse; and the wheels of the waggonette crunched heavily away into obscurity."
Etymology
From Middle English instigacioun, from Old French instigacïon and Latin instīgātio.