instigation

[in-sti-gey-shuh n] /ˌɪn stɪˈgeɪ ʃən/

noun

the act of instigating; incitement.

an incentive.

Origin

1375-1425; late Middle English < Latin instīgātiōn- (stem of instīgātiō). See instigate, ion

Examples from the web for instigation

The immediate instigation was to help manage an ungodly surge in spam.
The last great burst of creativity came in the early sixties, again at the instigation of a foreigner.
His often dry-humored, wise-guy perspective was a source of humor and instigation.
Children of politicians are not running for office, and their presence on stage is at the instigation of the parents.
instigation, antagonism and other forms of provocation are often used to whip up the target.
Someone mentioned outside interference and instigation.
It does not work at the instigation of any doctrine, moral or artistic, whatever.

Word Origin and History for instigation

early 15c., from Middle French instigation and directly from Latin instigationem (nominative instigatio), noun of action from past participle stem of instigare "urge on, incite," from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + *stigare, a root meaning "to prick," from PIE root *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce" (see stick (v.)).