All 5 Uses of
provoke
in
David Copperfield
- I won't provoke my betters with knowledge, thank you.†
Chpt 16-18 *provoke = cause (a reaction)
- 'That I want to be satisfied about?' she replied, with provoking coldness.†
Chpt 28-30provoking = causing (a reaction)
- Mr. Dick was so very complacent, sitting on the foot of the bed, nursing his leg, and telling me this, with his eyes wide open and a surprised smile, that I am sorry to say I was provoked into explaining to him that ruin meant distress, want, and starvation; but I was soon bitterly reproved for this harshness, by seeing his face turn pale, and tears course down his lengthened cheeks, while he fixed upon me a look of such unutterable woe, that it might have softened a far harder heart than mine.†
Chpt 34-36provoked = caused (a reaction)
- My employer —' Here Mr. Micawber provokingly left off; and began to peel the lemons that had been under my directions set before him, together with all the other appliances he used in making punch.†
Chpt 49-51provokingly = in a manner that causes a reaction
- 'And I can't bear to hear you provoking the gentlemen, and endangering of yourself more.†
Chpt 52-54provoking = causing (a reaction)
Definition:
to cause a reaction — often an emotional reaction like anger, and sometimes done on purpose