Etymologically
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provoco

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈproː.wɔ.koː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈprɔː.vo.ko][1]

Forms

prōvocō (present infinitive prōvocāre, perfect active prōvocāvī, supine prōvocātum); first conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin prō- + vocō (“to call”).[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is Plautus, of calling someone out.[2][3] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to call forth, summon out, as in Plautus; to draw out, make grow outwards, as in Tibullus; to challenge to a fight or contest, as in Accius; to provoke, rouse to action, and to challenge to excellence, as in Cicero; to challenge to a legal decision, as in Ulpian; and intransitively to appeal to the people or a higher court, as in Cicero.[2][3]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it means to provoke, arouse, stir up, excite, appeal.[5] English provoke (late 14th century, first in medicine “to induce”) is from it, and it survives as French provoquer and Spanish provocar.[6][1]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of calling out.[2][4]
  • 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of a challenge.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of rousing and of appeal.[2][4]
  • late 14th century – English provoke is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To call forth, summon.[2][7]
  2. To challenge (to a contest).[2]
  3. To provoke, rouse.[2][5]
  4. (intransitive, law) To appeal.[2]

Word family

  • prōvocātiō
  • prōvocātīvus
  • prōvocātor
  • prōvocātōrius

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press