Online Etymology Dictionary

• Disciplines:
• Art/Literary

• Specific disciplines:
• Linguistics
• Poetry & Literature
• Poetry & Literature

• Keywords:
• agent - 1471
• "one who acts," from L. agentem (nom. agens
• gen. agentis)
• prp. of agere "to set in motion
• drive
• lead
• conduct" (see act). Meaning "any natural force or substance which produces a phenomenon" is first recorded 1579.