agitator Latin · revision 35812

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=la agō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [a.ɡɪˈtaː.tɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [a.d͡ʒiˈtaː.tor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''agitātor''' ''m'' (genitive agitātōris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|agitō|-tor|t1=to drive, put in motion]], an agent noun.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) [[m|la|agitō]] is formed from [[m|la|agō|t=to drive]], which goes back to [[ine-pro|*h2eǵ-e/o-|t=to drive, lead]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler first find it in Plautus,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) who in the ''Menaechmi'' uses it of a charioteer in the races of the circus.^(Georges 1913)^(TLL)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a charioteer in the games it is used by Lucilius, Cicero, Seneca and Pliny the Younger, and in inscriptions.^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016) Virgil uses it of the charioteer of Achilles, and in the ''Georgics'' of a peasant driving a slow ass;^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Columella too has the driver of an ass.^(Georges 1913) Lewis & Short note that it was used only of those who drive animals.^(Lewis & Short 1879) The Vulgate uses it absolutely of charioteers.^(Georges 1913)

+

+ A medieval poet, Alexander Neckam, uses it of the river Spey as a mover of sand.^(DMLBS) English formed its own ''agitator'' from the verb ''agitate'' in the 1640s, first for the representatives of the common soldiers in Cromwell's army.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a charioteer in the circus.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a charioteer.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of a peasant driving an ass and of Achilles' charioteer.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 390–406 AD – The Vulgate uses it of charioteers.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who drives animals, a [[m|en|drover]] or driver.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A [[m|en|charioteer]], especially in the races of the [[m|en|circus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A mover.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}