provocation

 
Pronunciation: /ˌprɒvəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1action or speech that makes someone angry, especially deliberately: you should remain calm and not respond to provocation he burst into tears at the slightest provocation
  • Law action or speech held to be likely to prompt physical retaliation: the assault had taken place under provocation
  • 2the action of arousing sexual desire or interest, especially deliberately: walking with deliberate provocation, she struck a pose, then giggled
  • 3 Medicine testing to elicit a particular response or reflex: twenty patients had a high increase of serum gastrin after provocation with secretin

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin provocatio(n-), from the verb provocare (see provoke)