Hypertext Webster Gateway: "instigate"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Instigate \In"sti*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Instigated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Instigating}.] [L. instigatus, p. p. of
instigare to instigate; pref. in- in + a root akin to G.
stechen to prick, E. stick. See {Stick}.]
To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite; --
used chiefly with reference to evil actions; as to instigate
one to a crime.
He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very
extent of their malignity. --Bp.
Warburton.
Syn: To stimulate; urge; spur; provoke; tempt; incite; impel;
encourage; animate.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
instigate
v 1: provoke or stir up; "incite a riot"; "set off great unrest
among the people" [syn: {incite}, {set off}, {stir up}]
2: serve as the inciting cause of; "She prompted me to call my
relatives" [syn: {prompt}, {inspire}]
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