View synonyms for agent

agent

[ ey-juhnt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a person or business authorized to act on another's behalf:
Our agent in Hong Kong will ship the merchandise.
A best-selling author needs a good agent.
Synonyms: deputy, representative
a person or thing that acts or has the power to act.
a natural force or object producing or used for obtaining specific results:
Many insects are agents of fertilization.
Synonyms: means
an active cause; an efficient cause.
a person who works for or manages an agency.
a person who acts in an official capacity for a government or private agency as a guard, detective, or spy:
an FBI agent;
the secret agents of a foreign power.
a person responsible for a particular action:
Who was the agent of this deed?
Grammar. a form or construction, usually a noun or noun phrase, denoting an animate being that performs or causes the action expressed by the verb, as the police in The car was found by the police.
Indian agent.
a representative of a business firm, especially a traveling salesperson; canvasser; solicitor.
Chemistry. a substance that causes a reaction.
Pharmacology. a drug or chemical capable of eliciting a biological response.
Pathology. any microorganism capable of causing disease.
British. a campaign manager; an election agent.

to represent (a person or thing) as an agent; act as an agent for: Who agented that deal?
to agent a manuscript;
Who agented that deal?

agent

/ ˈeɪdʒənt; eɪˈdʒɛnʃəl /

a person who acts on behalf of another person, group, business, government, etc; representative
a person or thing that acts or has the power to act
a phenomenon, substance, or organism that exerts some force or effect
a chemical agent
the means by which something occurs or is achieved; instrument
wind is an agent of plant pollination
a person representing a business concern, esp a travelling salesman
short for estate agent
short for secret agent

agent

/ ā′jənt /

Origin of agent¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin agent-, stem of agēns “doing,” present participle of agere “to do, drive”

Origin of agent¹

C15: from Latin agent-, noun use of the present participle of agere to do

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