The word "provocation" is spelled with a "pro" sound followed by the "voh" sound, spelled with the letters "vo." After the second "o" comes the "kee" sound, which is spelled with the letters "ca." Finally, the word ends with the "shun" sound, which is spelled with "tion." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /ˌprɒvəˈkeɪʃən/. It means an action or behavior that causes annoyance or anger and often results in a reaction or retaliation.
Provocation is a noun derived from the verb "provoke." It refers to the act or action of stimulating, inciting, or arousing someone to anger, annoyance, or a strong reaction. It encompasses behavior, statements, or situations designed to deliberately unsettle, irritate, or agitate another person. Provocation can range from subtle actions to more explicit and deliberate attempts to elicit a response.
In the context of interpersonal relationships, provocation often involves intentional attempts to provoke or antagonize another person, aiming to evoke an emotional reaction or to escalate a conflict. It can manifest through various means, such as insults, criticism, teasing, or even physical gestures. Provocation can be employed as a strategy for manipulation, conflict escalation, or a tool to test someone's patience or boundaries.
Provocation is not limited to interpersonal dynamics, as it can occur in wider social contexts. It may occur in political debates, media discourse, or public demonstrations, where provocative actions or statements are used to challenge prevailing ideologies or provoke a reaction from specific individuals or groups.
It is important to note that provocation can often be subjective, as individuals may react differently to the same stimuli. While some people may be easily provoked, others may possess a higher tolerance level and remain unaffected. Provocation can have varying degrees of intensity, significance, and impact depending on the individual, the context, and the level of intentionality behind the provoking action or statement.
Anything that excites to anger or resentment; the act of exciting anger.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "provocation" derives from the Latin term "provocatio" which combines "pro" meaning "forth, forward" and "vocatio" meaning "a calling, a summoning". In Latin, "provocatio" referred to a legal term denoting the right or act of summoning or challenging someone to a duel or combat as a way to settle a dispute or seek justice. Over time, the word evolved to encompass the broader meaning it carries today, referring to any action or behavior that is intended to incite, irritate, or provoke someone into a response.