instigation

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
instigation
    n 1: the verbal act of urging on [syn: {abetment}, {abettal},
         {instigation}]
    2: deliberate and intentional triggering (of trouble or discord)
       [syn: {fomentation}, {instigation}]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Instigation \In`sti*ga"tion\, n. [L. instigatio: cf. F.
   instigation.]
   The act of instigating, or the state of being instigated;
   incitement; esp. to evil or wickedness.
   [1913 Webster]

         The baseness and villainy that . . . the instigation of
         the devil could bring the sons of men to. --South.
   [1913 Webster]
    
from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
INSTIGATION. The act by which one incites another to do something, as to 
injure a third person, or to commit some crime or misdemeanor, to commence 
a suit or to prosecute a criminal. Vide Accomplice. 
    
from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
24 Moby Thesaurus words for "instigation":
      agitation, arousal, catalyst, exasperation, excitation, excitement,
      firing, fomentation, goad, impetus, impulse, incentive, incitation,
      incitement, inflammation, irritation, pep rally, pep talk,
      provocation, rabble-rousing, spur, stimulation, stirring,
      stirring-up

    

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