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.
2. To move or actuate. [R.]
Thomson.
3. To stir up; to disturb or excite; to perturb;
as, he was greatly agitated.
The mind of man is agitated by various passions.
Johnson.
4. To discuss with great earnestness; to debate;
as, a controversy hotly agitated. Boyle.
5. To revolve in the mind, or view in all its
aspects; to contrive busily; to devise; to plot; as, politicians
agitate desperate designs.
Syn. -- To move; shake; excite; rouse; disturb; distract;
revolve; discuss; debate; canvass.
