/ ˌprɒvəˈkeɪʃn; NAmE ˌprɑːv-/ noun
[ U , C ] the act of doing or saying sth deliberately in order to make sb angry or upset; something that is done or said to cause this :
He reacted violently only under provocation .
The terrorists can strike at any time without provocation .
She bursts into tears at the slightest provocation .
So far the police have refused to respond to their provocations.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , from Latin provocatio(n-) , from the verb provocare challenge, from pro- forth + vocare to call.