agitate

Definition

To disturb or excite; to perturb or stir up (a person).

Etymology

From Middle English agitat(e) (“set in motion”), borrowed from Latin agitātus, perfect passive participle of agitō (“to put in motion”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), frequentative of agō (“to drive, move, push”), see -tō. Cognate with French agiter. See also act and agent.

Example Sentences

• "He was greatly agitated by the news."
• "to agitate water in a vessel"
• "The wind agitates the sea."

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