[ag.i.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L agitatus, pp. of agitare, freq. of agere to drive--more at agent] vt (15c) 1 a obs: 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: disturb 3 a: to discuss excitedly and earnestly b: to stir up public discussion of ~ vi: to attempt to arouse public feeling "agitated for better schools" syn see shake, discompose -- ag.i.tat.ed.ly adv -- ag.i.ta.tion n -- ag.i.ta.tion.al adj