from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Agitate \Ag"i*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Agitated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Agitating}.] [L. agitatus, p. p. of agitare to put in
motion, fr. agere to move: cf. F. agiter. See {Act},
{Agent}.]
1. To move with a violent, irregular action; as, the wind
agitates the sea; to agitate water in a vessel. "Winds . .
. agitate the air." --Cowper.
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2. To move or actuate. [R.] --Thomson.
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3. To stir up; to disturb or excite; to perturb; as, he was
greatly agitated.
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The mind of man is agitated by various passions.
--Johnson.
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4. To discuss with great earnestness; to debate; as, a
controversy hotly agitated. --Boyle.
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5. To revolve in the mind, or view in all its aspects; to
contrive busily; to devise; to plot; as, politicians
agitate desperate designs.
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Syn: To move; shake; excite; rouse; disturb; distract;
revolve; discuss; debate; canvass.
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