provoke
provoke definition
pro·voke (prə vōk′, prō-)
transitive verb provoked -·voked′, provoking -·vok′·ing
- to excite to some action or feeling
- to anger, irritate, or annoy
- to stir up (action or feeling)
- to call forth; evoke to provoke a smile
Etymology: ME provoken < MFr provoquer < L provocare, to call forth < pro-, pro- + vocare, to call < vox, voice
Related Forms:
- provoker pro·vok′er noun
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