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more about instigate
instigate |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Instigate \In"sti*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Instigated}; p. pr & vb n. {Instigating}.] [L. instigatus p. p. of instigare to instigate; pref. in- in + a root akin to G. stechen to prick, E. stick. See {Stick}.] To goad or urge forward; to set on to provoke; to incite; -- used chiefly with reference to evil actions; as to instigate one to a crime. He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very extent of their malignity. --Bp. Warburton Syn: To stimulate; urge; spur; provoke; tempt; incite; impel; encourage; animate. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: instigate v 1: provoke or stir up "incite a riot"; "set off great unrest among the people" [syn: {incite}, {set off}, {stir up}] 2: serve as the inciting cause of "She prompted me to call my relatives" [syn: {prompt}, {inspire}]
more about instigate