— agitable /aj"i teuh beuhl/ , adj. — agitative , adj.
/aj"i tayt'/ , v. , agitated, agitating .
v.t.
1. to move or force into violent, irregular action: The hurricane winds agitated the sea.
2. to shake or move briskly: The machine agitated the mixture.
3. to move to and fro; impart regular motion to.
4. to disturb or excite emotionally; arouse; perturb: a crowd agitated to a frenzy by impassioned oratory; a man agitated by disquieting news.
5. to call attention to by speech or writing; discuss; debate: to agitate the question.
6. to consider on all sides; revolve in the mind; plan.
v.i.
7. to arouse or attempt to arouse public interest and support, as in some political or social cause or theory: to agitate for the repeal of a tax.
[ 1580-90; agitatus (ptp. of agitare to set in motion), equiv. to ag- (root of agere to drive) + -it- freq. suffix + -atus -ATE 1 ]
Syn. 1. disturb, toss. 3. wave. 4. ruffle, fluster, roil. 5. dispute.
Ant. 1. calm, soothe.