3 uses
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Definition
actions that cause a reaction—especially anger or violence
or:
the act of causing an angry or violent reaction
or:
the act of causing an angry or violent reaction
- I had sent so many memorials and petitions for my liberty, that his majesty at length mentioned the matter, first in the cabinet, and then in a full council; where it was opposed by none, except Skyresh Bolgolam, who was pleased, without any provocation, to be my mortal enemy.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (40% in)
- Whereupon, the malicious rogue, watching his opportunity, when I was walking under one of them, shook it directly over my head, by which a dozen apples, each of them near as large as a Bristol barrel, came tumbling about my ears; one of them hit me on the back as I chanced to stoop, and knocked me down flat on my face; but I received no other hurt, and the dwarf was pardoned at my desire, because I had given the provocation.Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (48% in)
- I told him "we fed on a thousand things which operated contrary to each other; that we ate when we were not hungry, and drank without the provocation of thirst; that we sat whole nights drinking strong liquors, without eating a bit, which disposed us to sloth, inflamed our bodies, and precipitated or prevented digestion; that prostitute female Yahoos acquired a certain malady, which bred rottenness in the bones of those who fell into their embraces; that this, and many other diseases,...Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (42% in)
There are no more uses of "provocation" in Gulliver's Travels.
Typical Usage
(best examples)