Cause & Origin Vocabulary

to cause something to happen suddenly or prematurely

“The assassination precipitated a world war.”

Origin: Latin praecipitare `to throw headlong`, from praeceps `headlong, steep`

to cause or give rise to a feeling or situation

“The policy engendered widespread resentment.”

Origin: Old French engendrer, from Latin ingenerare `to beget`, from generare `to create`

to bring about or initiate an action or event

“He was accused of instigating the riot.”

Origin: Latin instigare `to urge, incite`, from in- `toward` + stigare `to prick, goad`

to cause or accelerate a reaction or change

“The invention of the printing press catalyzed the spread of knowledge.”

Origin: Greek katalysis `dissolution`, from kata- `down` + lyein `to loosen`

to stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion

“Her comments provoked outrage among supporters.”

Origin: Latin provocare `to call forth, challenge`, from pro- `forth` + vocare `to call`

to succeed in persuading or leading to a course of action

“What induced you to make such a risky investment?”

Origin: Latin inducere `to lead in`, from in- `into` + ducere `to lead`

to generate or produce, especially in large numbers

“The controversy spawned dozens of conspiracy theories.”

Origin: Old French espandre `to spread out`, from Latin expandere `to expand`

to give rise to; bring about

“Violence begets violence in an endless cycle.”

Origin: Old English begietan `to get, obtain`, from be- + gietan `to get`

to instigate or stir up unrest or rebellion

“Agitators were accused of fomenting discord.”

Origin: Latin fomentare `to apply warm lotions`, from fomentum `poultice`, from fovere `to warm`

to encourage or stir up violent or unlawful behavior

“The speech was designed to incite hatred.”

Origin: Latin incitare `to urge forward`, from in- `toward` + citare `to set in motion`

to arouse or inspire an emotion or feeling

“The teacher kindled a love of learning in her students.”

Origin: Old Norse kynda `to set fire to`, related to Old English cennan `to beget`

to begin to grow or develop

“The idea germinated during a late-night conversation.”

Origin: Latin germinare `to sprout`, from germen `sprout, seed`