provocation
law
Quick Summary
Provocation refers to the act of provoking or something that incites a strong response or action. It can be an irritant, a stimulus, or an instigation that arouses someone to anger or activity. The term originates from the Latin word provocare, meaning "to call forth". In a legal context, provocation can be a defense that may reduce a charge of murder to manslaughter if the defendant was provoked into losing self-control. The word "provocateur" is derived from this, referring to someone who incites others to break the law.1234
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