Main Entry:

agent

Pronunciation:

\ˈā-jənt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Medieval Latin agent-, agens, from Latin, present participle of agere to drive, lead, act, do; akin to Old Norse aka to travel in a vehicle, Greek agein to drive, lead

Date:

15th century

1: one that acts or exerts power2 a: something that produces or is capable of producing an effect : an active or efficient cause b: a chemically, physically, or biologically active principle3: a means or instrument by which a guiding intelligence achieves a result4: one who is authorized to act for or in the place of another: as a: a representative, emissary, or official of a government <crown agent> <federal agent> b: one engaged in undercover activities (as espionage) : spy <secret agent> c: a business representative (as of an athlete or entertainer) <a theatrical agent> 5: a computer application designed to automate certain tasks (as gathering information online)