agent


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Related to agent: Agent Orange, agent provocateur

a·gent

 (ā′jənt)
n.
1. One that acts or has the power or authority to act.
2. One empowered to act for or represent another: an author's agent; an insurance agent.
3. A means by which something is done or caused; an instrument.
4. A force or substance that causes a change: a chemical agent; an infectious agent.
5. A representative or official of a government or administrative department of a government: an FBI agent.
6. A spy.
7. Linguistics The argument that expresses the means or cause of an action or event described by a phrase or clause. The noun John is the agent in the clause John threw the ball.
v. a·gent·ed, a·gent·ing, a·gents
v.tr.
To act as an agent or representative for: Who will agent your next book?
v.intr.
To act as an agent or representative.

[Middle English, from Latin agēns, agent-, present participle of agere, to do; see ag- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

agent

(ˈeɪdʒənt)
n
1. a person who acts on behalf of another person, group, business, government, etc; representative
2. a person or thing that acts or has the power to act
3. a phenomenon, substance, or organism that exerts some force or effect: a chemical agent.
4. the means by which something occurs or is achieved; instrument: wind is an agent of plant pollination.
5. (Commerce) a person representing a business concern, esp a travelling salesman
6. (Professions) Brit short for estate agent
7. (Military) short for secret agent
[C15: from Latin agent-, noun use of the present participle of agere to do]
agential adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

a•gent

(ˈeɪ dʒənt)

n.
1. a person or business authorized to act on another's behalf.
2. a person or thing that acts or has the power to act.
3. a natural force or object producing or used for obtaining specific results: Many insects are agents of fertilization.
4. an active cause; an efficient cause.
5. a person who works for or manages an agency.
6. a person who acts in an official capacity for a government agency, as a law-enforcement officer or a spy: an FBI agent.
7. a linguistic form or construction, usu. 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.
8. a representative of a business firm, esp. a traveling salesperson.
9. a substance that causes a chemical reaction. Compare reagent.
10. a drug or chemical capable of eliciting a biological response.
11. an organism that is a cause or vector of disease.
v.t.
12. to represent (a person or thing); act as an agent on: to agent a manuscript; Who agented that deal?
[1570–80; < Latin agent-, s. of agēns, present participle of agere to drive, do, act]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

a·gent

(ā′jənt)
A substance that can cause a chemical reaction or a biological effect. Compare reagent.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

agent

In intelligence usage, one who is authorized or instructed to obtain or to assist in obtaining information for intelligence or counterintelligence purposes.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.agent - an active and efficient causeagent - an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect; "their research uncovered new disease agents"
causal agency, causal agent, cause - any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results
pressor, vasoconstrictive, vasoconstrictor - any agent that causes a narrowing of an opening of a blood vessel: cold or stress or nicotine or epinephrine or norepinephrine or angiotensin or vasopressin or certain drugs; maintains or increases blood pressure
biological agent, biohazard - any bacterium or virus or toxin that could be used in biological warfare
eliminator - an agent that eliminates something
impairer - an agent that impairs; "crops can be great impairers of the soil"
infectious agent, infective agent - an agent capable of producing infection
lethal agent - an agent capable of causing death
motor - a nonspecific agent that imparts motion; "happiness is the aim of all men and the motor of all action"
mutagen - any agent (physical or environmental) that can induce a genetic mutation or can increase the rate of mutation
enlivener, invigorator, quickener - an agent that gives or restores life or vigor; "the soul is the quickener of the body"
relaxer - any agent that produces relaxation; "music is a good relaxer"
represser, repressor - an agent that represses
retardant, retardent, retardation - any agent that retards or delays or hinders; "flame-retardant"
satisfier - any agent capable of producing satisfaction
shortener - any agent that shortens; "alcohol is a great shortener of life"
stressor - any agent that causes stress to an organism
teratogen - any agent that interferes with normal embryonic development: alcohol or thalidomide or X-rays or rubella are examples
transmitter, vector - any agent (person or animal or microorganism) that carries and transmits a disease; "mosquitos are vectors of malaria and yellow fever"; "fleas are vectors of the plague"; "aphids are transmitters of plant diseases"; "when medical scientists talk about vectors they are usually talking about insects"
weakener - that which weakens or causes a loss of strength; "doubt is a great weakener of resolve"
2.agent - a representative who acts on behalf of other persons or organizationsagent - a representative who acts on behalf of other persons or organizations
business agent - an agent who handles business affairs for another; especially one who deals with employers
literary agent - an agent who represents an author in dealings with publishers
bailee - the agent to whom property involved in a bailment is delivered
booker, booking agent - someone who engages a person or company for performances
surrogate, deputy - a person appointed to represent or act on behalf of others
employment agent - someone who runs an employment agency
freight agent - an employee of a freight carrier who directs the receipt and delivery of goods
government agent - a representative or official of a government or administrative department of a government
handler - an agent who handles something or someone; "the senator's campaign handlers"
mill agent - the responsible official at a mill that is under absentee ownership
next friend - (law) a person who acts on behalf of an infant or disabled person
parliamentary agent - a person who is employed to look after the affairs of businesses that are affected by legislation of the British Parliament
placeholder, procurator, proxy - a person authorized to act for another
purchasing agent - an agent who purchases goods or services for another
representative - a person who represents others
intelligence agent, intelligence officer, operative, secret agent - a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
shipping agent - the agent of a shipowner
shopper - a commercial agent who shops at the competitor's store in order to compare their prices and merchandise with those of the store that employs her
special agent - someone whose authority is limited to the special undertaking they have been instructed to perform
talent agent - an agent who represents performers
general agent, universal agent - someone authorized to transact every kind of business for the principal
3.agent - a substance that exerts some force or effect
causal agency, causal agent, cause - any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results
substance - a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties; "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man"
antiflatulent - any agent that reduces intestinal gas
antifungal, antifungal agent, antimycotic, antimycotic agent, fungicide - any agent that destroys or prevents the growth of fungi
antimicrobial, antimicrobic, disinfectant, germicide - an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease
drug - a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic
vermicide - an agent that kills worms (especially those in the intestines)
alkaliser, alkalizer, antacid, antiacid, gastric antacid - an agent that counteracts or neutralizes acidity (especially in the stomach)
bacteriostat - a chemical or biological material that inhibits bacterial growth
blanching agent, bleaching agent, whitener, bleach - an agent that makes things white or colorless
chemical agent - an agent that produces chemical reactions
coagulant, coagulator - an agent that produces coagulation
coolant - a fluid agent (gas or liquid) that produces cooling; especially one used to cool a system by transferring heat away from one part to another; "he added more coolant to the car's radiator"; "the atomic reactor used a gas coolant"; "lathe operators use an emulsion of oil and water as a coolant for the cutting tool"
diluent, dilutant, thinner - a diluting agent
emmenagogue - any agent that promotes menstrual discharge
galactagogue - agent that induces milk secretion
hypnagogue - an agent that induces drowsiness or sleep
hypoglycaemic agent, hypoglycemic agent - any of various agents that decrease the level of glucose in the blood and are used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus
inducer - an agent capable of activating specific genes
lactifuge - any agent that reduces milk secretion (as given to a woman who is not breast feeding)
lactogen - any agent that enhances milk production
mitogen - an agent that triggers mitosis
nerve agent, nerve gas - a toxic gas that is inhaled or absorbed through the skin and has harmful effects on the nervous and respiratory system
precipitant - an agent that causes a precipitate to form
solvating agent - an agent that converts something into a solvate
viricide, virucide - an agent (physical or chemical) that inactivates or destroys viruses
4.agent - a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commissionagent - a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission
brokerage, brokerage firm, securities firm - a stock broker's business; charges a fee to act as intermediary between buyer and seller
auctioneer - an agent who conducts an auction
bourgeois, businessperson - a capitalist who engages in industrial commercial enterprise
insurance agent, insurance broker, underwriter, general agent - an agent who sells insurance
investment banker, underwriter - a banker who deals chiefly in underwriting new securities
estate agent, house agent, land agent, real estate agent, real estate broker - a person who is authorized to act as an agent for the sale of land; "in England they call a real estate agent a land agent"
ship broker - an agent for the ship owner; obtains cargo and may arrange for its loading or discharge
stockbroker - an agent in the buying and selling of stocks and bonds
syndic - one appointed to represent a city or university or corporation in business transactions
travel agent - someone who sells or arranges trips or tours for customers
5.agent - any agent or representative of a federal agency or bureauagent - any agent or representative of a federal agency or bureau
Indian agent - a representative of the federal government to American Indian tribes (especially on Indian reservations)
functionary, official - a worker who holds or is invested with an office
Fed, federal official, Federal - any federal law-enforcement officer
trustbuster - a federal agent who engages in trust busting
6.agent - the semantic role of the animate entity that instigates or causes the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
participant role, semantic role - (linguistics) the underlying relation that a constituent has with the main verb in a clause
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

agent

noun
1. representative, deputy, substitute, advocate, rep (informal), broker, delegate, factor, negotiator, envoy, trustee, proxy, surrogate, go-between, emissary You are buying direct, rather than through an agent.
2. spy, operative, mole, secret agent, double agent, secret service agent, undercover agent, foreign agent, fifth columnist, nark (Brit., Austral., & N.Z. slang) All these years he's been an agent for the East.
3. author, officer, worker, actor, vehicle, instrument, operator, performer, operative, catalyst, executor, doer, perpetuator They regard themselves as the agents of change in society.
4. force, means, power, cause, instrument the bleaching agent in white flour
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

agent

noun
1. That by which something is accomplished or some end achieved:
2. A person who secretly observes others to obtain information:
Informal: spook.
Idiom: secret agent.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
агентин
agentčinitelprostředektajný agentzástupce
agentmiddelrepræsentantspion
agenttiasiamiestaudinaiheuttajatoimijavaikuttaja
agent
ügynökképviselő
njósnariorsakavaldur; virkt efniumboîsmaîur
代理人
대리인
agentasagentūraatstovasdėkaįrankis
aģentslīdzeklispārstāvisspēks
činidlo
agentpredstavnik
ombud
ตัวแทน
người trung gian

agent

[ˈeɪdʒənt] N
1. (for company, sports personality, actor) → agente mf, representante mf (Jur) → apoderado/a m/f (Pol) → delegado/a m/f; (undercover) → agente mf
his father acts as his agentsu padre actúa como su representante
see also free E
see also literary, sole 3
2. (US) (= station master) → jefe/a m/f de estación
3. (Chem) → agente m
chemical agentagente m químico
4. (= catalyst) she has portrayed herself as an agent of changese ha descrito a sí misma como agente or propulsora or motor del cambio
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

agent

[ˈeɪdʒənt] n
(= representative) → agent(e) m/f estate agent, travel agent
(for actor, writer, musician)agent(e) m/f
(= spy) → agent(e) m/f
(= instrument) an agent of sth → un moteur de qch
(= chemical) → agent magent provocateur [ˌæʒɑ̃prəvɒkəˈtɜːr] nagent m provocateurage of consent nâge m de consentement, âge m légal (des rapports sexuels)
to be under the age of consent → ne pas avoir l'âge de consentement
to be over the age of consent → avoir l'âge de consentementage-old [ˌeɪdʒˈəʊld] adj (= ancient) [story, tradition, problem] → ancestral(e)
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

agent

n
(Comm) (= person)Vertreter(in) m(f); (= organization)Vertretung f; who is the agent for this car in Scotland?wer hat die schottische Vertretung für dieses Auto?
(= literary agent, press agent etc)Agent(in) m(f); (Pol) → Wahlkampfleiter(in) m(f); business agentAgent(in) m(f)
(= secret agent, FBI agent etc)Agent(in) m(f); agent in charge (of an/the investigation)Untersuchungsbeamte(r) m/-beamtin f
(= person having power to act) man must be regarded as a moral agentder Mensch muss als moralisch verantwortlich handelndes Wesen angesehen werden; determinism states that we are not free agentsder Determinismus behauptet, dass wir nicht frei entscheiden können; you’re a free agent, do what you wantdu bist dein eigener Herr, tu was du willst
(= means by which sth is achieved)Mittel nt; she became the unwitting agent of his wicked plotunwissentlich wurde sie zum Werkzeug für seinen niederträchtigen Plan
(Chem) cleansing agentReinigungsmittel nt; special protective agentSpezialschutzmittel nt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

agent

[ˈeɪdʒnt] n
a. (Comm, Police, Theatre) → agente m/f; (representative) → rappresentante m/f
to be sole agent for → avere la rappresentanza esclusiva per
agent's commission → provvigione f
he is not a free agent (fig) → non è padrone di fare quel che vuole
b. (Chem) → agente m
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

agent

(ˈeidʒənt) noun
1. a person or thing that acts. detergents and other cleaning agents.
2. a person who acts for someone in business etc. our agent in London; a theatrical agent.
3. (especially secret agent) a spy. an agent for the Russians.
ˈagencyplural ˈagencies noun
the office or business of an agent. an advertising agency.
by/through the agency of
by the action of. The meeting was arranged through the agency of a friend.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

agent

وَكِيل agent agent Vertreter πράκτορας agente agentti agent agent agente 代理人 대리인 agent agent agent agente агент ombud ตัวแทน temsilci người trung gian 代理商
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

a·gent

n. agente, factor.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

agent

n agente m; Agent Orange agente naranja
English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
References in classic literature ?
He found Ona in a faint and the babies screaming, and the whole house in an uproar--for it had been believed by all that he had gone to murder the agent. It was hours before the excitement could be calmed; and all through that cruel night Jurgis would wake up now and then and hear Ona and her stepmother in the next room, sobbing softly to themselves.
AN Insurance Agent was trying to induce a Hard Man to Deal With to take out a policy on his house.
You wait here, in company with me, to see my agent, who is coming at seven o'clock in the morning to regulate my affairs.
Clara Belle was rather a successful agent, but Susan, who could only say "thoap," never made large returns, and the twins, who were somewhat young to be thoroughly trustworthy, could be given only a half dozen cakes at a time, and were obliged to carry with them on their business trips a brief document stating the price per cake, dozen, and box.
"We have traced the young lady to the theatrical agent's in Bow Street.
Man therefore is the highest subject (unless on very extraordinary occasions indeed) which presents itself to the pen of our historian, or of our poet; and, in relating his actions, great care is to be taken that we do not exceed the capacity of the agent we describe.
"I have not got a friend in the world: I dare not live alone." In that desolate situation, and with that melancholy motive, she put the house into an agent's hands.
"There is a powerful agent, obedient, rapid, easy, which conforms to every use, and reigns supreme on board my vessel.
Up the gangway were trooping the customs officers, the surveyor, the agent's clerk, and the stevedores.
INSURANCE AGENT: My dear sir, that is a fine house -- pray let me
The man who plotted beside us, for all we knew, might be an agent of the Iron Heel.
Again, Tragedy is the imitation of an action; and an action implies personal agents, who necessarily possess certain distinctive qualities both of character and thought; for it is by these that we qualify actions themselves, and these--thought and character--are the two natural causes from which actions spring, and on actions again all success or failure depends.