Etymology Map
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Instigate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to bring about

Where does the word "instigate" come from? It comes from Latin instigare, adopted directly into English (1540s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
instigare
Latin · ancient
"to urge on"
'in-' plus a root 'stig-', to prick
2
Stage 2 of 2
instigate
English · 1540s
"to urge on"
'instigator' followed
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Read the full story

Instigate’s story begins in Latin: instigare meant “to urge on.” 'in-' plus a root 'stig-', to prick. It reached English by 1540s as instigate. 'instigator' followed. Today, instigate means to bring about.