incite

views updated Jun 08 2018

in·cite / inˈsīt/ • v. [tr.] encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior): the offense of inciting racial hatred. ∎  urge or persuade (someone) to act in a violent or unlawful way: he incited loyal subjects to rebellion.DERIVATIVES: in·ci·ta·tion / ˌinsīˈtāshən/ n.in·cite·ment n.in·cit·er n.

Incite

views updated May 11 2018

INCITE

To arouse; urge; provoke; encourage; spur on; goad; stir up; instigate; set in motion; as in to incite a riot. Also, generally, incriminal lawto instigate, persuade, or move another to commit a crime; in this sense nearly synonymous with abet.

incite

views updated May 18 2018

incite XV. — (O)F. inciter — L. incitāre, f. IN-1 + citāre set in rapid motion, rouse; see CITE.