v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Instigated p. pr. & vb. n. Instigating ] [ L. instigatus, p. p. of instigare to instigate; pref. in- in + a root akin to G. stechen to prick, E. stick. See Stick. ] To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite; -- used chiefly with reference to evil actions; as, to instigate one to a crime. [ 1913 Webster ]
He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very extent of their malignity. Bp. Warburton.