agitate
Definitions
To make someone feel anxious, upset, or unable to relax.
使激动，使不安，使焦躁。
To shake or stir a liquid or substance briskly.
搅动，摇动（液体或物质）。
To campaign energetically and publicly for or against a cause.
（为某事业）鼓动，煽动，奔走呼吁。
Root Breakdown
Native EnglishFrom Latin agere ('to drive') through its present stem ag-, with a frequentative ending = 'to keep driving, to drive repeatedly.' The core image is something being driven back and forth without rest. Drive a liquid back and forth and you stir it (agitate the mixture); drive a person's emotions back and forth and you upset them (an agitated patient); drive public feeling back and forth on an issue and you stir up a movement (agitate for reform).
Root ag still carries 21 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.agitate for为……而鼓动
- 2.agitate against反对……而鼓动
- 3.agitate a solution搅动溶液
- 4.become agitated变得焦躁不安
Example Sentences
- 1.
The bad news clearly agitated her.
- 2.
Gently agitate the solution until the powder dissolves.
- 3.
Workers agitated for better pay and safer conditions.