n.
Pronunciation: ' ā -j ə nt
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 power
2 a : something that produces or is capable of producing an effect : an active or efficient cause b : a chemically, physically, or biologically active principle
3 : a means or instrument by which a guiding intelligence achieves a result
4 : 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)