different between provocative vs peppery

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /p???v?k.?.t?v/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /p???v?k.?.t?v/

Adjective

provocative (comparative more provocative, superlative most provocative)

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; sexy.

Related terms

• provoke
• provocation
• provocator

Related terms

• provocateur

Translations

Noun

provocative (plural provocatives)

1. (obsolescent) 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 [...].

Latin

Adjective

pr?voc?t?ve

1. vocative masculine singular of pr?voc?t?vus

English

Etymology

pepper +? -y

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?p?p??i/

Adjective

peppery (comparative pepperier, superlative pepperiest)

1. Having the taste of pepper.
2. (figuratively) Having a fiery temperament.
   • 1884, Gilbert & Sullivan, Princess Ida:

     For I'm a peppery potentate, / Who's little inclined his claim to bate, / To fit the wit of a bit of a chit, / And that's the long and short of it!

Translations