Ăg'i-tāte, v. t.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. AGITATED; p. pr. & vb. n. AGITATING.] [Lat. agitāre, to put in motion, to drive, v. intens. of agere; Fr. agiter. See ACT.]

1. To move with a violent, irregular action; as, the wind agitates the sea; to agitate water in a vessel.
2. To disturb or excite; to perturb. “An agitated countenance.” Thackeray.

The mind of man is agitated by various passions. Johnson.

3. To discuss with great earnestness; to debate. “A controversy hotly agitated.” Boyle.
4. To consider on all sides; to revolve in the mind, or view in all its aspects; to contrive by mental deliberation; as, politicians agitate desperate designs.

Syn.—To move; shake; excite; rouse; disturb; distract; revolve; consider; deliberate; discuss; debate; canvass; controvert; examine.