in·sti·gate

[in-sti-geyt]
verb (used with object), in·sti·gat·ed, in·sti·gat·ing.
1.
to cause by incitement; foment: to instigate a quarrel.
2.
to urge, provoke, or incite to some action or course: to instigate the people to revolt.

Origin:
1535–45; < Latin instīgātus past participle of instīgāre to goad on, impel, equivalent to in- in-2 + -stīg- goad, prick (akin to stigma, stick2) + -ātus -ate1

in·sti·gat·ing·ly, adverb
in·sti·ga·tive, adjective
in·sti·ga·tor, in·sti·gant [in-sti-guhnt] , noun
un·in·sti·gat·ed, adjective
un·in·sti·ga·tive, adjective


1. arouse, provoke. 2. induce, stimulate, encourage, push; initiate, start.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To instigator
00:10
Instigator is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
Collins
World English Dictionary
instigate (ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  to bring about, as by incitement or urging: to instigate rebellion
2.  to urge on to some drastic or inadvisable action
 
[C16: from Latin instīgāre to stimulate, incite; compare Greek stizein to prick]
 
'instigatingly
 
adv
 
insti'gation
 
n
 
'instigative
 
adj
 
'instigator
 
n

instigate (ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  to bring about, as by incitement or urging: to instigate rebellion
2.  to urge on to some drastic or inadvisable action
 
[C16: from Latin instīgāre to stimulate, incite; compare Greek stizein to prick]
 
'instigatingly
 
adv
 
insti'gation
 
n
 
'instigative
 
adj
 
'instigator
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

instigate
1540s, from L. instigat-, pp. stem of instigare (see instigation).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
He was a heroic truth-teller to some, a loudmouth instigator to others.
Last week's suggestion to eliminate the instigator penalty drew a ton of e-mail feedback.
Ambition, considered the instigator of all human effort, is the subject of the ceiling painting.
The instigator of the work, and his admirers, could perceive in them nothing but what was ridiculous.
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