Provocative

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /pɹəˈvÉ’kÉ™tɪv/

Origin

From Middle French provocatif, and its source, Late Latin provocativus, from provocare.

Full definition of provocative

Adjective

1. Serving or tending to elicit a strong, often negative sentiment in another person; exasperating.
2. Serving or tending to excite, stimulate or arouse sexual interest.

Noun

1. (now historical) Something that provokes an appetite, especially a sexual appetite; an aphrodisiac. from 15th c.
• 1723, Charles Walker, Memoirs of the Life of Sally Salisbury:She used by way of Provocative, to read the wanton Verses of her Paramour in the day time ....----