ˈajəˌtāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin agitatus, past participle of agitare to drive, agitate, turn over in the mind, freq. of agere to drive, do — more at agent
transitive verb
1.
a. obsolete : to give action or motion to : actuate
who fills, surrounds, informs, and agitates the whole — James Thomson
b. : to move to and fro : give regular motion to
the ladies sigh and agitate their fans — J.E.Cooke
c. : to move with a brisk irregular action : shake or move rapidly or violently
the convulsions and tremors which had agitated the body … were fewer — P.J.Phelan
2. : to excite or trouble the mind or feelings of
a discussion which has agitated thinkers — A.N.Whitehead
: stir up : disturb
questions which agitate modern states — G.L.Dickinson
3. : to discuss or debate excitedly and earnestly
the child and woman labor issues were agitated — H.M.Diamond
4. obsolete : to turn over in the mind : contrive , plot
statesmen agitating new plans
intransitive verb
: to attempt to arouse public feeling or influence public opinion (as by constant discussion)
they were agitating for schools and the vote — V.G.Heiser
Synonyms: see discompose , discuss , shake