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.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)