ˌprävəˈkāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English provocacioun, from Middle French provocation, from Latin provocation-, provocatio, from provocatus (past participle of provocare to call forth, provoke) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at provoke
1. : the act or process of provoking : stimulation , incitement
provocations to further thought about our own dilemmas — E.R.May
ready to smash them to pieces on the slightest provocation — Havelock Ellis
her every movement was a provocation — S.B.Kaiser
2.
a. archaic : appeal ; especially : an appeal to a higher court
b. : the right of a Roman citizen condemned in a criminal action to appeal to the Roman people or the emperor