Provocative
/prəˈvɒk.ə.tɪv/noun
Tending to provoke a strong reaction, especially anger, interest, or desire.
Did you know?Provocative ultimately traces back to Latin vocāre, “to call,” the same ancient root behind words like voice and vocation, proving that some words were built to summon response like a spell.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wekw-
“to speak, call, or utter a sound”
Latin
Latin
vocāre
“to call”
Latin
Latin
provocāre
“to call forth, summon, challenge”
Late Latin
Latin
provocātīvus
“serving to provoke or challenge”
Middle English
English
provocatif
“tending to stir up or incite”
Modern English
English
provocative
“causing a strong reaction, especially by arousing interest or desire”