Main Entry:

ag·i·tate

Pronunciation:

\ˈa-jə-ˌtāt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

ag·i·tat·ed; ag·i·tat·ing

Etymology:

Latin agitatus, past participle of agitare, frequentative of agere to drive — more at agent

Date:

15th century

transitive verb1 aobsolete : to give motion to b: to move with an irregular, rapid, or violent action <the storm agitated the sea>2: to excite and often trouble the mind or feelings of : disturb3 a: to discuss excitedly and earnestly b: to stir up public discussion ofintransitive verb: to attempt to arouse public feeling <agitated for better schools>

synonyms see shake, discompose

— ag·i·tat·ed·ly adverb

— ag·i·ta·tion \ˌa-jə-ˈtā-shən\ noun

— ag·i·ta·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective