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   prov·o·ca·tion

   /ˌprävəˈkāSH(ə)n/

   noun

   • 1. action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately: "you should remain calm and not respond to provocation" Similar goadingproddingegging onincitementrousingstirringstimulationpromptinginducementencouragementurginginspirationstimuluspressureannoyanceirritationnettlingagitationvexationbeing rubbed up the wrong wayharassmentplaguingmolestationteasingtauntingtormentaffrontinsultsinformal:hassleaggravation
   • ▪ action or speech held to be likely to prompt physical retaliation: "the assault had taken place under provocation" Similar goadingproddingegging onincitementrousingstirringstimulationpromptinginducementencouragementurginginspirationstimuluspressureannoyanceirritationnettlingagitationvexationbeing rubbed up the wrong wayharassmentplaguingmolestationteasingtauntingtormentaffrontinsultsinformal:hassleaggravation
   • 2. testing to elicit a particular response or reflex: "twenty patients had a high increase of serum gastrin after provocation with secretin"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin provocatio(n-), from the verb provocare (see provoke).

   Scrabble Points: 18

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • O

     1

   • V

     4

   • O

     1

   • C

     3

   • A

     1

   • T

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   • I

     1

   • O

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   • N

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