/ay"jeuhnt preuh vok'euh terr"/ ; Fr. /ann zhahonn prddaw vaw kann tuerdd"/ , pl. agents provocateurs /ay"jeuhnts preuh vok'euh terr"/ ; Fr. /ann zhahonn prddaw vaw kann tuerdd"/ .
a secret agent hired to incite suspected persons to some illegal action, outbreak, etc., that will make them liable to punishment.
[ 1875-80; ]