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instigation

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅sti⋅ga⋅tion

  [in-sti-gey-shuhn]
Use instigation in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of instigating; incitement.
2. an incentive.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L instīgātiōn- (s. of instīgātiō). See instigate, ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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in·sti·gate   (ĭn'stĭ-gāt')   
tr.v.   in·sti·gat·ed, in·sti·gat·ing, in·sti·gates

  1. To urge on; goad.

  2. To stir up; foment.


[Latin īnstīgāre, īnstīgāt-; see steig- in Indo-European roots.]
in'sti·ga'tion n., in'sti·ga'tive adj., in'sti·ga'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

instigation 
c.1422, from L. instigationem (nom. instigatio), noun of action from instigare "urge on, incite," from in- "in" + *stigare, a root meaning "to prick," from PIE base *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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