Incited

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Caused someone to act or feel strongly, often stirring up emotion or behavior
2. Stimulated or urged a person or group to take action, sometimes creating excitement or unrest
3. Encouraged or prompted someone to undertake a particular course or reaction

Etymology: The verb "incitare" combines the Latin prefix "in-" with "citare," meaning to set in motion or summon. "Citare" was a frequentative form of "ciere," so it carried the sense of calling repeatedly or urgently. The original sense was physical: to rouse someone to move, charge, or set off. The emotional and behavioral meanings developed later. English shares this root with two familiar words. "Cite" comes from the same "citare," so to cite a source is, etymologically, to summon it, much as a court summons a witness. "Excite" comes from a related Latin compound, "excitare," which also meant to rouse or call out. These three words are close relatives whose meanings have drifted apart.

Synonyms: instigated, provoked, stimulated

Antonyms: calmed, soothed