Inciting

/ɪnˈsaɪtɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Encouraging or persuading someone to do something, often something violent or against the law.

Etymology

From Latin 'incitare,' meaning 'to set in motion' (in- meaning 'in' + citare meaning 'to move'). Entered English in the 1400s and developed the negative sense of encouraging harmful action.

Kelly Says

The phrase 'incitement to riot' became legally defined after the 1960s protests because courts had to decide exactly what words count as 'inciting'—it's one of the rare cases where free speech has clear legal limits.

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