Main Entry: in·sti·gate

Pronunciation: \ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): in·sti·gat·ed; in·sti·gat·ing

Etymology: Latin instigatus, past participle of instigare — more at stick

Date: 1542

: to goad or urge forward : provoke

synonyms see incite

— in·sti·ga·tion \ˌin(t)-stə-ˈgā-shən\ noun

— in·sti·ga·tive \ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgā-tiv\ adjective

— in·sti·ga·tor \-ˌgā-tər\ noun