agitate, v.
(ˈædʒɪteɪt)
[f. L. agitāt- ppl. stem of agitā-re (see prec.), also representing Fr. agiter (14th c., Littré).]
I. To move, excite.
† 1. trans. To communicate action or motion to; to move, actuate. = act v. 1. Obs.
| 1620 Shelton Quixote III. xxxiv. 244 In the chace..Sleep and Idleness are banished, the Pores are corroborated, the Members agitated. 1748 Thomson Castle Ind. ii. 47 By whom each atom stirs, the planets roll: Who, fills, surrounds, informs, and agitates the whole. |
2. To move to and fro, shake (things material).
| 1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physic 44/1 Take fresh butter..impose the same in a little dishe, and agitate or amalgamize the same. 1667 Boyle Orig. Formes & Qual. 30 In agitating water into froth. 1794 Sullivan View of Nat. I. 76 Incessant earthquakes..during which the earth was constantly agitated. 1825 Scott Talism. (1854) 141 The other refreshed his reverend master by agitating a fan of peacock-feathers. 1849 M. Somerville Connex. Phys. Sc. §30. 347 The aurora powerfully agitates the magnet. |
3. fig. To disturb, perturb, or excite (the thoughts and feelings).
| 1586 James VI in Ellis Orig. Lett. i. 224 III. 18 Knouin quhat divers thochtes have agitat my mynde. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. 233 This had agitated my Thoughts for two Hours. 1836 Hor. Smith Tin Trumpet I. 13 An actor..is never so sure to agitate the souls of his hearers, as when his own is perfectly at ease. |
4. Hence, To perturb or excite (a person) in mind or feelings; to stir up, excite, or move (a multitude) by appeals, etc.
| a 1822 Shelley Œdip. Tyr. i. i, The gadfly was the same which Juno sent To agitate Io. 1824 Dibdin Libr. Comp. 89 Frequently agitated with passion and prejudice. 1855 Lewis Early Rom. Hist. xii. §25 Each consul forms a party, and agitates the people in favour of his own views. 1878 Seeley Stein. III. 320 You are alarmed and agitated by the lamentations of those ladies. |
II. To be active or busy about.
† 5. trans. To do the actual work of (the affairs of another); to manage or act as an agent. Also absol. Obs.
| 1634 Wood New Eng. Prosp. ii. x, A King of large Dominions hath his Viceroyes..to agitate his State-affaires. 1654 Fuller 2 Serm. 76 Let painefull Solicitours so honestly Agitate..as knowing they must give an Account to God. |
6. To be busy with (mentally), consider on all sides, revolve in the mind (as a plan to be executed); to contrive busily. arch.
| 1648 Cottrell tr. Davila's Hist. France (1678) 9 Whilst these things were agitated at the court. a 1649 Charles I (J.) When politicians most agitate desperate designs. 1671 A. Behn Forc'd Marriage ii. iii. 174 As if your soul were agitating something Contràry to the pleasure of this night. |
7. To discuss, debate, or push forward as a question to be settled. Also absol.
| 1643 Milton Soveraigne Salve 33 Parliament preparing, discussing, agitating, concluding what is to be done. 1756 Burke Sp. Amer. Tax. Wks. II. 410 Before a repeal was so much as agitated in this house. 1785 Cowper Tirocin. 130 Points, which unless the Scripture made them plain, The wisest heads might agitate in vain. 1863 Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. ii. 285 The question of the revival of licensed printing was repeatedly agitated in Parliament. |
8. absol. To keep up an agitation; to keep a political or other object perpetually under discussion, so as to impress on the public mind. Const. for.
| c 1828 Marquis of Anglesey (to Irish Deputation), If you really expect success, agitate, agitate, agitate. 1860 Kingsley Misc. II. 180 If he wants protection for them, let him agitate for the true protection. Mod. To agitate for a repeal of the malt tax. |