The definition of instigate is to start something or cause something to happen.
(verb)An example of instigate is when you start a riot or get people all worked up with your speech.
See instigate in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb instigated, instigating
Origin: < L instigatus, pp. of instigare, to stimulate, incite < in-, in- + -stigare, to prick: for IE base see stick
Related Forms:
See instigate in American Heritage Dictionary 4
transitive verb in·sti·gat·ed, in·sti·gat·ing, in·sti·gates
Origin:
Origin: Latin īnstīgāre, īnstīgāt-; see steig- in Indo-European roots
.Related Forms:
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