Crossword Dictionary
AGITATION
agitation - n
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
the feeling of being agitated; not calm
the act of agitating something; causing it to move around (usually vigorously)
Synonyms
disturbance, turbulence, turmoil, unrest, upheaval, commotion, discomposure, stirring, tizzy
Examples
Her father returned around noon, his agitation apparent the moment he stepped in the door.
His curiosity and agitation, like that of the whole crowd, reached the highest pitch at this fifth murder.
In the new Tirard ministry formed to combat the Boulangist agitation he was minister of finance.
Etymology
1560s, "debate, discussion" (on the notion of "a mental tossing to and fro"), from French agitation, from Latin agitationem (nominative agitatio) "motion, agitation," noun of action from past-participle stem of agitare "move to and fro," frequentative of agere "to set in motion, drive forward; keep in movement" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").