Search the Dictionary

To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by agitation or commotion. The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled the placid bosom of the Nile. I. Taylor. She smoothed the ruffled seas. Dryden.

the sand-lot constitution of California, framed in 1879, under the influence of sand-lot agitation.

Freedom from agitation or excitement of mind; coolness in trying circumstances; indifference; calmness. Burke.

The rolling or agitation of a ship in a sterm. [Obs.] Sandys.

To become calm; to cease from agitation. Till the fury of his highness settle, Come not before him. Shak.

or wavering motion; a rapid motion one way and other; a trembling, quaking, or shivering; agitation. The great soldier's honor was composed Of thicker stuff, which could endure a shake. Herbert. Our salutations were very hearty on both sides, consisting of many kind shakes of the hand. Addison.

A sudden agitation of the mind or feelings; a sensation of pleasure or pain caused by something unexpected or overpowering; also, a sudden agitating or overpowering event. "A shock of pleasure." Talfourd.

The act of shuffling; a mixing confusedly; a slovenly, dragging motion. The unguided agitation and rude shuffles of matter. Bentley.

The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.

itting of the judges of the King's Bench, or of a commission. The sitting closed in great agitation. Macaulay.

Frothy matter raised on liquids by boiling, effervescence, or agitation; froth; foam; scum. Materials dark and crude, Of spiritous and fiery spume. Milton.

Not disturbed by noise or agitation; quiet; calm; as, a still evening; a still atmosphere. "When all the woods are still." Milton.

The act or result of stirring; agitation; tumult; bustle; noise or various movements. Why all these words, this clamor, and this stir Denham. Consider, after so much stir about genus and species, how few words we have yet settled definitions of. Locke.

A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; sedition, insurrection, or war; violent outbreak; clamor; tumult. I will stir up in England some black storm. Shak. Her sister Began to scold and raise up such a storm. Shak.

Proceeding from violent agitation or fury; as, a stormy sound; stormy shocks.

Agitation; excitement; distress of mind. [Colloq.] What a taking was he in, when your husband asked who was in the basket! Shak.

To beat, or pulsate, with more than usual force or rapidity; to beat in consequence of agitation; to palpitate; -- said of the heart, pulse, etc. My heart Throbs to know one thing. Shak. Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast. Shak.

To put into great agitation. [R.] "[They], soaring on main wing, tormented all the air." Milton.

A process which consists in washing ores by violent agitation in water, in order to separate the lighter or earhy particles; -- called also tozing, and treloobing, in Cornwall. Pryce.

The state of being troubled; disturbance; agitation; uneasiness; vexation; calamity. Lest the fiend . . . some new trouble raise. Milton. Foul whisperings are abroad; unnatural deeds Do breed unnatural troubles. Shak.