agitator
pronunciation
How to pronounce agitator in British English:
UK [ˈædʒɪteɪtə(r)]
How to pronounce agitator in American English:
US [ˈædʒɪˌtetɚ]
-
- Noun:
- one who agitates; a political troublemaker
Word Origin
- agitator (n.)
- 1640s, agent noun from agitate (v.); originally "elected representative of the common soldiers in Cromwell's army," who brought grievances (chiefly over lack of pay) to their officers and Parliament. Political sense is first recorded 1734, and negative overtones began with its association with Irish patriots such as Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847). Historically, in American English, often with outside and referring to people who stir up a supposedly contented class or race. Latin agitator meant "a driver, a charioteer."
Example
- 1. Mr webb has not always been an outside agitator .
- 2. Bob crow , the leader of the rail , maritime and transport union and a serial agitator , has compared the cuts to the poll tax that helped to bring down margaret thatcher , and advocates a campaign of peaceful " civil disobedience " .
- 3. During nine months in office , however , mr kan , a former civil-rights activist , has come across as an agitator rather than a builder of bridges .