provoker
(prəʊˈvəʊkə(r))
[f. as prec. + -er1.]
One who or that which provokes (in various senses); a challenger, instigator, inciter, irritator, etc.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VI. 435 A noble yonge man, Hew by name,..toke the batelle for the kynge, and did sle his provoker. a 1541 Wyatt Penit. Ps. xxxviii. 62 My provokers..That without cause to hurt me do not cease. 1605 Shakes. Macb. ii. iii. 27 Drinke, Sir, is a great prouoker of three things. a 1656 Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 162 Fear..is a just provoker of our tears. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 47 ¶11 Men who are such Provokers of Mirth in Conversation, that it is impossible for a Club or Merry-meeting to subsist without them. a 1860 J. A. Alexander Gosp. Christ xxx. (1861) 401 The foolhardiest provoker of temptation. |
Hence proˈvokeress, a female provoker.
| 1611 Cotgr., Concitatrice, a concitatrix; incitresse, prouokeresse. |