provoke etymology

Etymology: The word "provoke" derives from the Latin verb "provocare," meaning "to call forth, challenge, or irritate." It is a compound of the prefix "pro-," meaning "forth," and "vocare," meaning "to call."

Meaning: To provoke is to deliberately arouse or stimulate something, typically a negative or strong reaction or emotion. It entails instigating, inciting, or provoking a response, behavior, or situation.

Origin: The Latin verb "provocare" first appeared in the 2nd century BC. It was used in a legal context to refer to summoning someone to court or challenging them to a duel. Its association with causing strong emotions emerged later, and it gained its modern meaning during the 15th century.

The word "provocation" emerged in the early 16th century and carries the same meaning as "provoke." It refers to an act or situation that elicits a strong reaction or response.

provoke relate terms

  • provoking

    Etymology Provoke comes from the Latin word provocare which means to challenge inc

  • provoke

    Etymology The word provoke derives from the Latin verb provocare meaning to call fo

  • provocate

    Etymology of Provoke The word provoke derives from the Late Latin term provocare w

  • provoke

    Etymology The word provoke derives from the Latin verb provocare meaning to call fo

  • provocation

    Etymology Latin prōvocare meaning to call forth summon challenge Proto Indo Euro

  • provocative

    Etymology The word provocative comes from the Latin verb provocare which means to

  • kindle

    Etymology The word kindle derives from the Middle English verb kindlen which means

  • solicitation

    Etymology The word solicitation originates from the Latin word sollicitare meaning

  • taunt

    Etymology The word taunt comes from the Middle English tanten or tanten meaning

  • defiance

    Etymology Defiance comes from the Old French word defiance which itself is derived

  • lure

    Etymology The word lure comes from the Middle English word lure which in turn comes

  • rule

    Etymology Derived from the Old French word reule which in turn comes from the Latin

  • pick

    Etymology Pick comes from the Middle English word pikken which is derived from the