释义 |
▪ I. provoking, vbl. n.|prəʊˈvəʊkɪŋ| [f. as prec. + -ing1.] The action of the verb provoke; stirring up, incitement, provocation.
1530Palsgr. 259/1 Provokyng to angre, irritation. 1535Coverdale 1 Kings xv. 30 With y⊇ prouokynge wherwith he displeased the Lorde God of Israel. 1591Percivall Sp. Dict., Açomamiento, prouoking, stirring vp. ▪ II. provoking, ppl. a.|prəʊˈvəʊkɪŋ| [f. as prec. + -ing2.] That provokes. 1. That incites or instigates; provocative.
1530Palsgr. 321/2 Provokyng or movyng to a thynge, incitatif. 1630Massinger Renegado ii. iv, Provoking dishes passing by, to heighten Declined appetite. 1644Milton Areop. (Arb.) 52 God therefore left him [Adam] free, set before him a provoking object, ever almost in his eyes. 2. Causing anger or irritation; exasperating, irritating.
1642J. Shute Sarah & Hagar (1649) 163 As he shall be powerfull, so he will be provoking and cruell. 1658Whole Duty Man Pref. (1684) 6 The abuse of mercy, which is of all sins the most provoking. 1710Lady M. W. Montagu Lett., to Mrs. Hewet (1887) I. 29 It is a provoking thing to think..we should always be asunder so many dirty miles. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. viii. II. 327 This answer, far more provoking than a direct refusal. 1884Fortn. Rev. June 812 Joseph, unquestionably, must have been a very provoking younger brother. Hence proˈvokingness.
1840L. Hunt Leg. Florence ii. ii, You take Ways of refined provokingness to wreak it. |