v.
Pronunciation: ' in(t)-st ə - ˌ g ā t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -gat · ed ; -gat · ing
Etymology: Latin instigatus, past participle of instigare ― more at STICK
Date: 1542
: to goad or urge forward : PROVOKE
synonyms see INCITE
– in · sti · ga · tion \ ˌ in(t)-st ə - ' g ā -sh ə n \ noun
– in · sti · ga · tive \ ' in(t)-st ə - ˌ g ā -tiv \ adjective
– in · sti · ga · tor \ - ˌ g ā -t ə r \ noun