provoke

Where does the word "provoke" come from? It comes from Latin provocare, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Provoke’s story begins in Latin: provocare meant “to call forth, to challenge.” To call forth, to challenge, from pro- (forth) and vocare (to call). It reached English by 1300s as provoke. Settled as the English word for stirring up a reaction, often anger. Today, provoke means to stir up a strong reaction or feeling, often anger, in someone.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient provocare "to call forth, to challenge", to call forth, to challenge, from pro- (forth) and vocare (to call).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s provoke "to stir up a strong reaction, often anger", settled as the English word for stirring up a reaction, often anger.