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instigation

[in-sti-gey-shuh n]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR instigation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of instigating; incitement.

an incentive.

Origin of instigation

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin instīgātiōn- (stem of instīgātiō). See instigate, ion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for instigation

incitement, urging, stimulation, influence, encouragement, abetment, incentive

Examples from the Web for instigation

Historical Examples of instigation

His feelings had been played upon by the owner of the Indian, at Langdon's instigation.
Thoroughbreds
W. 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?
Charles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. II (of II)
Edmund Downey
Another was published in 1783 at Benjamin Franklin's own instigation.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens
Georg Jellinek
We turned mutineers at your instigation, and what have we made of it?
Frank Merriwell Down South
Burt 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.)).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper