agitprop
[aj-it-prop]
- agitation and propaganda, especially for the cause of communism.
- (often initial capital letter) an agency or department, as of a government, that directs and coordinates agitation and propaganda.
- Also ag·it·prop·ist. a person who is trained or takes part in such activities.
Show More
- of or relating to agitprop.
Show More
Origin of agitprop
1930–35; < Russian Agitpróp, orig. for Agitatsiónno-propagandístskiĭ otdél Agitation Propaganda Section (of the Central Committee, or a local committee, of the Communist Party); subsequently the head of such a section, or in compound names of political education organs, as agitpropbrigáda, etc.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
hypeindoctrinationpublicitydisinformationhogwashannouncementpublicationpromulgationbrainwashinghandoutadvertisingdoctrinepromotionevangelisminculcationimplantationagitpropnewspeakproselytismExamples from the Web for agitprop
Contemporary Examples
Having reviewed anti-Israeli agitprop masquerading as theater, I was prepared to join critics in hating The Death of Klinghoffer.
Historical Examples
Agitprop, in turn, is responsible for the transmission of guidelines down to the lowest levels of party organization.
Area Handbook for BulgariaEugene K. Keefe, Violeta D. Baluyut, William Giloane, Anne K. Long, James M. Moore, and Neda A. Walpole
agitprop
- (often capital) (formerly) a bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, in charge of agitation and propaganda on behalf of Communism
- any promotion, as in the arts, of political propaganda, esp of a Communist nature
- (as modifier)agitprop theatre
Show More
Word Origin
C20: short for Russian Agitpropbyuro, from agit (atsiya) agitation + prop (aganda) propaganda
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for agitprop
n.
also agit-prop, 1938, from Russian agitatsiya "agitation" (from French agitation; see agitation) + propaganda, from German (see propaganda).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper