PROVOCATION • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Provocation

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/prˌɑvəkˈeɪʃən/ Listen

noun

Provocation n.

The act of provoking, or causing vexation or, anger.

That which provokes, or excites anger; the cause of resentment; as, to give provocation.

Incitement; stimulus; as, provocation to mirth.

(Law) Such prior insult or injury as may be supposed, under the circumstances, to create hot blood, and to excuse an assault made in retort or redress.

An appeal to a court. Note: (A Latinism) (Obs.)

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Etymology of 'Provocation'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Provocation" Quotes from Famous Books

... their whole attention; and it was all his most earnest efforts could do to keep from the old habit of fretfulness and murmuring. And he grieved so much over the least want of temper, and begged pardon so earnestly for the least impatient word—even if there had been real provocation for it—that it was a change indeed since the time when he thought grumbling and complaint his privilege and relief. Nothing helped him more than Paul's reading Psalms to him—the 121st was his favourite—or saying over hymns to him in that very sweet voice so full of meaning. Sometimes ...

— Friarswood Post-Office • Charlotte M. Yonge

... respects, the pedler's anticipations were correct. Katherine had "a bad time by herself" that night; for evil has this woful prerogative,—it can wound the good and the innocent, it can make wretched without provocation and without desert. But, whatever her suffering, it was altogether her own. She made no complaint, and she offered no explanation of her singular conduct. Her household, however, had learned to trust her; and the men and ...

— The Bow of Orange Ribbon - A Romance of New York • Amelia E. Barr

... led out for execution, he had taken human life, but under circumstances of the greatest provocation, and public sympathy was active in his behalf. Thousands had signed petitions for a reprieve, a favorable answer had been expected the night before, and, though it had not come, even the sheriff felt confident that it would yet arrive in season. Thus the morning passed without the appearance ...

— Sanders' Union Fourth Reader • Charles W. Sanders

... labor. The moment that they overstepped the slightest bounds of law, in rushed the authorities with summary punishment. The prisons of the period were full of mechanics whom serfdom or poverty had stung on to commit some crime or other. However trifling the offence, or whatever the justifiable provocation, the law made no trades-union memorialized Congress to limit the hours of labor of those employed on the public works to ten hours a day. The pathos of this petition! So unceasingly had the workers been lied to by politicians, newspapers, clergy and employers, ...

— Great Fortunes from Railroads • Gustavus Myers

... fast man with the big Colt that swung at his hip, a deadly marksman, and he needed but little provocation to exhibit his skill. For that reason his men kept the distance Deveny had established between them—never attempting ...

— 'Drag' Harlan • Charles Alden Seltzer

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