instigation
[in-sti-gey-shuh n]
- the act of instigating; incitement.
- an incentive.
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Origin of instigation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for instigation
Historical Examples
His feelings had been played upon by the owner of the Indian, at Langdon's instigation.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
Her mother, at the instigation of Antony Harlowe, forbids their correspondence.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
If so, why at the instigation of the Continent order 100,000 breechloaders?
Another was published in 1783 at Benjamin Franklin's own instigation.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of CitizensGeorg Jellinek
We turned mutineers at your instigation, and what have we made of it?
Frank Merriwell Down SouthBurt L. Standish
Word Origin and History for instigation
n.
early 15c., from Middle French instigation and directly from Latin instigationem (nominative instigatio), noun of action from past participle stem of instigare "urge on, incite," from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + *stigare, a root meaning "to prick," from PIE root *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce" (see stick (v.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper