agitate
[ aj-i-teyt ]
/ ˈædʒ ɪˌteɪt /
verb (used with object), ag·i·tat·ed, ag·i·tat·ing.
verb (used without object), ag·i·tat·ed, ag·i·tat·ing.
to arouse or attempt to arouse public interest and support, as in some political or social cause or theory: to agitate for the repeal of a tax.
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RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
agit., agit. ante us., agit. bene, agita, agitable, agitate, agitated, agitated depression, agitation, agitato, agitator
Origin of agitate
1580–90; < Latin agitātus (past participle of agitāre to set in motion), equivalent to ag- (root of agere to drive) + -it- frequentative suffix + -ātus -ate1
SYNONYMS FOR agitate
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for agitative
agitate
/ (ˈædʒɪˌteɪt) /
verb
(tr) to excite, disturb, or trouble (a person, the mind, or feelings); worry
(tr) to cause to move vigorously; shake, stir, or disturb
(intr; often foll by for or against) to attempt to stir up public opinion for or against something
(tr) to discuss or debate in order to draw attention to or gain support for (a cause, etc)to agitate a political cause
Derived Formsagitated, adjectiveagitatedly, adverb
Word Origin for agitate
C16: from Latin agitātus, from agitāre to move to and fro, set into motion, from agere to act, do
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for agitative
agitate
1580s, "to disturb," from Latin agitatus, past participle of agitare "to put in constant motion, drive onward, impel," frequentative of agere "to move, drive" (see agitation). Literal sense of "move to and fro, shake" is from 1590s. Related: Agitated; agitating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper