Definition of: provoke

(prə·vōk′) v.t. ·voked, ·vok·ing
1. To stir to anger or resentment; irritate; vex.
2. To arouse or stimulate to some action.
3. To stir up or bring about: to provoke a quarrel.
4. To induce or cause; elicit: to provoke a smile.
5. Obs. To call forth; summon. [<OF provoker <L provocare challenge <pro- forth + vocare call]
—pro·vok′ing adjective
—pro·vok′·ing·ly adverb
—pro·vok′ing·ness noun