English Explanatory Dictionary

instigator

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A person who intentionally instigates, incites, or starts something, especially one that creates trouble.

Pronunciation

/ˈɪnstɪɡeɪtə/ en-uk-instigator.ogg /ˈɪnstəˌɡeɪtɚ/ /-ɾɚ/ en-au-instigator.ogg

Word forms

instigator instigators instigatour

Etymology

From Latin īnstīgātor (“stimulator”), from īnstīgāre (present infinitive of īnstīgō (“to incite, set on, stimulate, rouse or urge”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)teyg- (“to be sharp, to stab; to puncture; to goad”)) + -or (from -ō (suffix forming masculine agent nouns), from Proto-Indo-European *-h₃onh₂- (suffix forming nouns denoting authority or burden)); cognate with French instigateur. By surface analysis, instigate + -or.

Synonyms

inciter troublemaker agitator bad boy bad news bear beggar bhoy blackguard booger boot boy bovver boy brat brawler breedbate buffoon bugger bully charva cutup devil elf enfant terrible firebrand gadfly hell-raiser hood hoodlum hool hoolie hooligan hothead imp initiator instigator jackanapes joker jokester kindle-coal kindle-fire knave lout makebate minx mischief mischief-maker miscreant ne'er-do-well pixie pot stirrer practical joker prankster puck punk rabble rouser rakeshame rantipole rapscallion rascal rogue

Related words

instigate instigation

Derived words

instigatress
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