Etymology dictionary

agape (adv.) — ahoy (interj.)

agape (adv.)

"with the mouth wide open" (as in wonder), 1660s, from a- (1) + gape (v.).

agaric (n.)

1530s, an herbalists' name for a wide range of fungi, from Latinized form of Greek agarikon, name of a corky tree-fungus used as tinder, said by ancient sources to be from Agari in Sarmatia.

variety of banded, colored quartz, 1560s, from French agate, from Latin achates, from Greek akhatēs, the name of a river in Sicily where the stones were found (Pliny). But the river could as easily be named for the stone.

Earlier in English as achate (early 13c.), directly from Latin. The Elizabethan sense of "a diminutive person" is from the small figures cut in agates for seals, etc., and the notion of smallness is preserved in typographer's agate (1838), the U.S. name of the 5.5-point font called in Great Britain ruby. Meaning "toy marble made of glass resembling agate" is from 1843 (colloquially called an aggie). Related: Agatine.

agathism (n.)

the doctrine that all things tend toward the good, 1830, from agathist + -ism.

Agatha

fem. proper name, Latinized form of Greek Agathē, fem. of agathos "good, fit; gentle, noble" (of persons, opposed to kakoi), which is of unknown origin. Never a popular name in U.S., and all but unused there since 1940. The Greek adjective grew to include notions of "wealthy, powerful," also "brave, good at fighting" (as qualities attributed to the chiefs) as well as "good" in a moral sense. Also, of things, "serviceable, useful," and, abstractly, "the good."

agathist (n.)

1816, from Greek agathos "good" (see Agatha) + -ist.

agave (n.)

American aloe plant, 1797, from Latin agave, from Greek agauē, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble, illustrious," a word of uncertain origin, perhaps from agasthai "wonder at," from gaiein "to rejoice, exult," with intensive prefix a-. The name seems to have been taken generically by botanists, the plant perhaps so called for its "stately" flower stem.

age-group (n.)

"a number of people of roughly similar age," 1876, originally a term in the science of demographics, from age (n.) + group (n.).

ageism (n.)

"discrimination against people based on age," coined 1969 by U.S. gerontologist Dr. Robert N. Butler (1927-1910), from age (n.) + -ism, on pattern of racism, sexism. Related: Ageist.

ageless (adj.)

1650s, "without age," from age (n.) + -less. Related: Agelessly; agelessness.

agency (n.)

1650s, "active operation;" 1670s, "a mode of exerting power or producing effect," from Medieval Latin agentia, abstract noun from Latin agentem (nominative agens) "effective, powerful," present participle of agere "to set in motion, drive forward; to do, perform," figuratively "incite to action; keep in movement" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move"). The meaning "establishment where business is done for another" is recorded by 1861.

agenda (n.)

1650s, originally theological, "matters of practice," as opposed to credenda "things to be believed, matters of faith," from Latin agenda, literally "things to be done," neuter plural of agendus, gerundive of agere "to do" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").

The modern sense of "items of business to be done at a meeting" is attested by 1882. "If a singular is required (=one item of the agenda) it is now agendum, the former singular agend being obsolete" [Fowler].

agendum (n.)

"an item on an agenda;" see agenda.

agent (n.)

late 15c., "one who acts," from Latin agentem (nominative agens) "effective, powerful," present participle of agere "to set in motion, drive forward; to do, perform; keep in movement" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").

The meaning "any natural force or substance which produces a phenomenon" is from 1550s. The meaning "deputy, representative" is from 1590s. The sense of "spy, secret agent" is attested by 1916.

agent (adj.)

"acting, sustaining action," 1610s, from agent (n.).

agential (adj.)

"pertaining to an agent or to an agency," 1847, from Medieval Latin agentia (see agency) + -al (1). Related: Agentially.

Agent Orange (n.)

powerful defoliant used by U.S. military in the Vietnam War, reported to have been used from 1961; so called from the color strip on the side of the container, which distinguished it from Agent Blue, Agent White, etc., other herbicides used by the U.S. military; see agent (n.). Banned from April 1970.

age-old (adj.)

"ages old, since ancient time," 1896, from age (n.) + old.

aggie (n.1)

"college student studying agriculture," by 1880, American English college slang, from ag, abbreviation of agriculture, + -ie.

aggie (n.2)

type of toy marble, by 1905, American English, colloquial shortening of agate (q.v.).

agglomeration (n.)

1774, "action of collecting in a mass," from Latin agglomerationem (nominative agglomeratio), noun of action from past-participle stem of agglomerare "to wind or add onto a ball," from ad "to" (see ad-) + glomerare "wind up in a ball," from glomus (genitive glomeris) "ball, ball of yarn, ball-shaped mass," which is of uncertain origin (see glebe). In reference to a mass so formed, it is recorded from 1833.

agglomerate (v.)

1680s, "collect or gather in a mass" (transitive), from Latin agglomeratus, past participle of agglomerare "to wind or add onto a ball," from ad "to" (see ad-) + glomerare "wind up in a ball," from glomus (genitive glomeris) "ball of yarn," which is of uncertain origin (see glebe). The intransitive sense of "grow into a mass" is from 1730. Related: Agglomerated; agglomerating.

agglutinate (v.)

1580s, "unite or cause to adhere," from Latin agglutinatus, past participle of agglutinare "fasten with glue," from ad "to" (see ad-) + glutinare "to glue," from gluten "glue" (from PIE *glei-; see glue (n.)). Related: Agglutinated; agglutinating. Perhaps suggested by the earlier use of the same word in English as a past-participle adjective (1540s) "united as by glue," from the Latin past participle.

agglutination (n.)

1540s, "act of uniting by glue," from Latin agglutinationem (nominative agglutinatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of agglutinare "fasten with glue, stick on," from ad "to" (see ad-) + glutinare "to glue," from gluten "glue" (from PIE *glei- "clay," also forming words with a sense of "to stick together;" see clay). The use in philology is from mid-17c.

agglutinative (adj.)

"having the power or tendency to unite or adhere," 1630s, originally in a medical sense, from Latin agglutinat-, past-participle stem of agglutinare "stick on, fasten with glue," from ad "to" (see ad-) + glutinare "to glue," from gluten "glue" (from PIE *glei- "clay," also forming words with a sense of "to stick together;" see clay). Philological sense is from 1650s.

aggrandize (v.)

1630s, "to make larger, increase," from French agrandiss-, present-participle stem of agrandir "to augment, enlarge" (16c.), ultimately from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + grandire "to make great," from grandis "big, great; full, abundant" (see grand (adj.)). The double -g- spelling in English (also formerly in French) is by analogy with Latin words in ad-. Related: Aggrandized; aggrandizing.

aggrandisement (n.)

chiefly British English spelling of aggrandizement; for suffix, see -ize.

aggrandise (v.)

chiefly British English spelling of aggrandize (q.v.); for suffix, see -ize. Related: Aggrandised; aggrandising.

aggrandizement (n.)

1650s, "a greatening, enlarging, advancement," usually not in a physical sense, from French agrandissement, formerly also aggrandissement, noun of action from agrandir "to augment" (see aggrandize).

aggravated (adj.)

1540s, "increased, magnified," past-participle adjective from aggravate. The meaning "irritated" is from 1610s; that of "made worse" is from 1630s. The earlier adjective was simply aggravate "threatened" (late 15c.), from the Latin past participle.

aggravation (n.)

late 15c., "an increasing in gravity or seriousness," from French aggravation, from Late Latin aggravationem (nominative aggravatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin aggravare "make heavier," figuratively "to embarrass further, increase in oppressiveness," from ad "to" (see ad-) + gravare "weigh down," from gravis "heavy" (from PIE root *gwere- (1) "heavy"). The sense of "irritation" is from 1610s.

aggravate (v.)

1520s, "make heavy, burden down," from Latin aggravatus, past participle of aggravare "to render more troublesome," literally "to make heavy or heavier, add to the weight of," from ad "to" (see ad-) + gravare "weigh down," from gravis "heavy" (from PIE root *gwere- (1) "heavy").

The literal sense in English has become obsolete; the meaning "to make a bad thing worse" is from 1590s; the colloquial sense of "exasperate, annoy" is from 1610s. The earlier English verb was aggrege "make heavier or more burdensome; make more oppressive; increase, intensify" (late 14c.), from Old French agreger.

aggravating (adj.)

1670s, "making worse or more heinous" (implied in aggravatingly), present-participle adjective from aggravate (v.). The phrase aggravating circumstances is recorded from 1790. The weakened sense of "provoking, annoying" is by 1775. An earlier adjective in the sense "troublesome, causing difficulty" was Middle English aggravaunt (mid-15c.)

aggregate (v.)

c. 1400, "bring together in a sum or mass," from Latin aggregatus, past participle of aggregare "attach, join, include; collect, bring together," literally "bring together in a flock," from assimilated form of ad "to" (see ad-) + gregare "to collect into a flock, gather," from grex (genitive gregis) "a flock" (from PIE root *ger- "to gather"). The intransitive meaning "come together in a sum or mass" is from 1855. Related: Aggregated; aggregating.

aggregation (n.)

early 15c., aggregacioun, originally in medicine (Chauliac), "formation of a pustule," from Medieval Latin aggregationem (nominative aggregatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin aggregare "collect, bring together," from ad "to" (see ad-) + gregare "to collect into a flock, gather," from grex (genitive gregis) "a flock" (from PIE root *ger- "to gather"). From 1540s as "a combined whole;" by 1560s as "act of collecting in an unorganized mass."

aggregator (n.)

1530s, "an adherent;" 1620s, "a collector, compiler," agent noun from aggregate (v.).

aggregate (adj.)

c. 1400, from Latin aggregatus "associated, united," past participle of aggregare "add to (a flock), lead to a flock, bring together (in a flock)," figuratively "attach, join, include; collect, bring together," from ad "to" (see ad-) + gregare "to collect into a flock, gather," from grex (genitive gregis) "a flock" (from PIE root *ger- "to gather").

aggregate (n.)

"number of persons, things, etc., regarded as a unit," early 15c., from Latin noun use of adjective aggregatum, neuter of aggregatus "associated, united," literally "united in a flock" (see aggregate (adj.)).

aggress (v.)

"make an attack," 1714, probably a back-formation from aggression; an identical word was used earlier with a sense of "approach" (1570s) and in this sense it is from French aggresser, from Late Latin aggressare, frequentative of Latin aggredi "to approach, attack." Related: Aggressed; aggressing.

aggression (n.)

1610s, "unprovoked attack," from French aggression (16c., Modern French agression), from Latin aggressionem (nominative aggressio) "a going to, an attack," noun of action from past-participle stem of aggredi "to approach; to attempt; to attack," from ad "to" (see ad-) + gradi (past participle gressus) "to step," from gradus "a step," figuratively "a step toward something, an approach" (from PIE root *ghredh- "to walk, go"). The psychological sense of "hostile or destructive behavior" is recorded by 1912 in A.A. Brill's translation of Freud.

aggressive (adj.)

1791, "characterized by aggression, tending to make the first attack," with -ive + Latin aggress-, past-participle stem of aggredi "to approach; to attempt; to attack," from ad "to" (see ad-) + gradi (past participle gressus) "to step," from gradus "a step," figuratively "a step toward something, an approach" (from PIE root *ghredh- "to walk, go"). In psychological use from 1913, first in translations of Freud. The colloquial meaning "self-assertive, pushy" is from 1931. Related: Aggressively; aggressiveness.

aggressor (n.)

1670s, "person who first attacks," from Latin aggressor, agent noun from past-participle stem of aggredi "to approach; to attempt; to attack" (see aggression).

aggrieve (v.)

c. 1300, agreven, "to disturb, trouble, attack," from Old French agrever "make worse, make more severe" (Modern French aggraver), from Latin aggravare "make heavier; make worse or more oppressive," from ad "to" (see ad-) + gravare "weigh down," from gravis "heavy" (from PIE root *gwere- (1) "heavy"). The spelling was corrected to agg- in French 14c., in English 15c. Related: Aggrieved; aggrieving.

aggrieved (adj.)

c. 1300, "annoyed, incensed, resentful, angry;" late 14c., "oppressed in spirit," past-participle adjective from aggrieve (v.). The legal sense of "injured or wronged in one's rights" is from 1580s.

aggro (n.)

by 1969, originally British underworld and juvenile delinquent slang, short for aggravation in a colloquial sense of "trouble or disturbance provoked by aggressive behavior or harassment" (by 1939).

*agh-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "a day" (as a unit of time). The initial d- in Germanic is of obscure origin.

It forms all or part of: adays; Bundestag; daily; daisy; dawn; day; holiday; Reichstag; today.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit dah "to burn," Lithuanian dagas "hot season," Old Prussian dagis "summer."

aghast (adj.)

c. 1300, agast, "terrified, suddenly filled with frightened amazement," past participle of Middle English agasten "to frighten" (c. 1200), from a- intensive prefix (see a- (1)) + Old English gæstan "to terrify," from gæst "spirit, ghost" (see ghost (n.)). The unetymological -gh- is perhaps a Flemish influence, or after ghost, etc., and became general after 1700.

agility (n.)

early 15c., "nimbleness, quickness," from Old French agilité (14c.), from Latin agilitatem (nominative agilitas) "mobility, nimbleness, quickness," from agilis "nimble, quick," from agere "to set in motion; keep in movement" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move"). Of mental swiftness from mid-15c.

agile (adj.)

"having quickness of motion, nimble, active" (of body or mind), 1580s, from French agile (14c.) and directly from Latin agilis "nimble, quick," from agere "to set in motion, keep in movement" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move"). Related: Agilely.

agin (prep.)

in modern use a representation of dialectal pronunciation of again or against.

agism (n.)

alternative spelling of ageism (q.v.).

agitated (adj.)

1610s, "set in motion," past-participle adjective from agitate (v.). The meaning "disturbed" is from 1650s; that of "disturbed in mind" is from 1756. The sense of "kept constantly in public view" is from 1640s.

agitation (n.)

1560s, "debate, discussion" (on the notion of "a mental tossing to and fro"), from French agitation, from Latin agitationem (nominative agitatio) "motion, agitation," noun of action from past-participle stem of agitare "move to and fro," frequentative of agere "to set in motion, drive forward; keep in movement" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").

The physical sense of "state of being shaken or moving violently" is from 1580s; the meaning "state of being mentally agitated" is from 1722; that of "arousing and sustaining public attention" to some political or social cause is from 1828. Old English glossed Latin agitatio with unstilnis.

agitator (n.)

1640s, agent noun from agitate (v.); originally "elected representative of the common soldiers in Cromwell's army," who brought grievances (chiefly over lack of pay) to their officers and Parliament.

The political sense is recorded by 1734, and negative overtones began with its association with Irish patriots such as Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847). Historically, in American English, often with outside and referring to people who stir up a supposedly contented class or race. Latin agitator meant "a driver, a charioteer."

agitate (v.)

1580s, "to disturb," from Latin agitatus, past participle of agitare "to put in constant or violent motion, drive onward, impel," frequentative of agere "to set in motion, drive, drive forward," figuratively "incite to action; keep in movement, stir up" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").

The sense of "move to and fro, shake" is from 1590s. The meaning "to discuss, debate" is from 1640s, that of "keep (a political or social question) constantly in public view" is by 1828. Related: Agitated; agitating.

agitprop (n.)

also agit-prop, "political propaganda in the arts or literature," 1938, from Russian agitatsiya "agitation" (from French agitation; see agitation) + propaganda (see propaganda), a word Russian got from German.

Aglaia

name of one of the Graces, Greek, literally "splendor, beauty, brightness," from aglaos "splendid, beautiful, bright," which is of unknown origin (probably connected with agauos "noble, illustrious;" see agave), + abstract noun ending -ia.

agleam (adj.)

"gleaming," 1854, from a- (1) + gleam (v.).

aglet (n.)

also aiglet, "metal tag of a lace," meant to make it easier to thread through the eyelet-holes, but later often ornamental, mid-15c., from Old French aiguillette, diminutive of aiguille "needle," from Late Latin acucula, an extended form (via diminutive suffix, but not necessarily implying smallness) of Latin acus "a needle" (from PIE root *ak- "be sharp, rise (out) to a point, pierce"). Compare Italian agucchia, Portuguese agulha, Spanish aguja "needle."

aglimmer (adj.)

"in a glimmer, glimmering," 1828, from a- (1) + glimmer (v.).

aglow (adj.)

"in a glow, glowing," 1817 (in Coleridge), from a- (1) + glow (v.). The figurative sense of "flushed with pleasurable excitement" is from 1830.

Agnes

fem. proper name, mid-12c., from Old French Agnes, from Greek Hagnē "pure, chaste," fem. of hagnos "holy, sacred" (of places); "chaste, pure; guiltless, morally upright" (of persons), from PIE *yag-no-, suffixed form of root *yag- "to worship, reverence" (see hagiology).

St. Agnes, martyred 303 C.E., is patron saint of young girls, hence the folk connection of St. Agnes' Eve (Jan. 20-21) with love divinations. In Middle English, the name was frequently written phonetically as Annis, Annys. In U.S., among the top 50 names for girls born between 1887 and 1919.

agnail (n.)

see hangnail.

agnostic (n.)

1870, "one who professes that the existence of a First Cause and the essential nature of things are not and cannot be known" [Klein]; coined by T.H. Huxley, supposedly in September 1869, from Greek agnostos "unknown, unknowable," from a- "not" (see a- (3)) + gnōstos "(to be) known" (from PIE root *gno- "to know"). The coinage is sometimes said to be a reference to Paul's mention of the altar to "the Unknown God" in Acts, but according to Huxley it was a reference to the early Church movement known as Gnosticism (see Gnostic). The adjective also is from 1870.

agnosticism (n.)

"doctrines of the agnostics, the doctrine that ultimate causes and essential natures of things are unknowable or unknown," 1870, from agnostic + -ism.

Agnus Dei (n.)

Late Latin, literally "lamb of God." From c. 1400 in English as the name of the part of the Mass beginning with these words, or (later) a musical setting of it. Latin agnus "lamb" is from PIE *agwh-no- "lamb" (see yean). For deus "god," see Zeus. The phrase is used from 1620s in reference to an image of a lamb as emblematic of Christ; usually it is pictured with a nimbus and supporting the banner of the Cross.

ago (adj.)

"gone, gone by; gone away," early 14c., a shortened form of agon "departed, passed away," past participle of a now-obsolete verb ago, agon "to go, proceed, go forth, pass away, come to an end," from Old English agan. This was formed from a- (1) "away" (perhaps here used as an intensive prefix) + gan "to go" (see go (v.)).

As an adverb, "in past times" (as in long ago) from late 14c. The form agone is now obsolete except as a dialectal variant.

agog (adv.)

"in a state of desire; in a state of imagination; heated with the notion of some enjoyment; longing" [Johnson], c. 1400, agogge, probably from Old French en gogues "in jest, good humor, joyfulness," from gogue "fun," which is of unknown origin.

agonize (v.)

1580s, "to torture" (trans.), from French agoniser (14c.) or directly from Medieval Latin agonizare "to labor, strive, contend," also "be at the point of death," from Greek agōnizesthai "contend in the struggle, contend for victory or a prize" (in reference to physical combat, stage competitions, lawsuits), from agōnia "a struggle for victory," originally "a struggle for victory in the games" (see agony). The intransitive sense of "suffer extreme physical pain" is recorded from 1660s; the mental sense of "to worry intensely" is from 1853. Related: Agonized; agonizing.

agon (n.)

1650s, in reference to ancient Greece, "contest for a prize," from Greek agōn "struggle, trial," especially in the public games (see agony) but also of contests for prizes in poetry, theater, music. Meaning "verbal dispute between characters in a Greek play" is from 1887. Related: Agonal.

agonic (adj.)

"having no angle," 1846, from Greek agōnos, from a- "not" (see a- (3)) + -gōnos "angled," from gōnia "angle, corner" (from PIE root *genu- (1) "knee; angle"). In reference to the imaginary line on the earth's surface connecting points where the magnetic declination is zero.

agony (n.)

late 14c., "mental suffering" (especially that of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane), from Old French agonie, agoine "anguish, terror, death agony" (14c.), and directly from Late Latin agonia, from Greek agōnia "a struggle for victory" (in wrestling, etc.), in a general sense "exercise, gymnastics;" also of mental struggles, "agony, anguish."

This is from agōn "assembly, mass of people brought together," especially to watch the games, hence, "a contest," then, generally, "any struggle or trial;" from the verb agein "put in motion, move" (here specifically as "assemble, bring together"), from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move."

Specifically of the struggle that precedes natural death (mortal agony) from 1540s. The sense development perhaps involves "pain so severe as to cause struggling." Sense of "extreme bodily suffering" is recorded by c. 1600.

agonistic (adj.)

"pertaining to an agonist," 1640s, from Latinized form of Greek agōnistikos, from agōnistes (see agonist).

agonist (n.)

1876, in writings on Greek drama, "a hero (attacked in the play by an antagonist)," from Latin agonista, Greek agōnistes "rival combatant in the games, competitor; opponent (in a debate)," also, generally "one who struggles (for something)," from agōnia "a struggle for victory" (in wrestling, etc.), in a general sense "exercise, gymnastics;" also of mental struggles, "agony, anguish" (see agony). Agonistes as an (ironic) epithet seems to have been introduced in English by T.S. Eliot (1932).

agora (n.)

1590s, "open assembly place, chief public square and marketplace of a town; popular political assembly held in such a place," from Greek agora "an assembly of the People" (as opposed to a council of Chiefs); "the place of assembly; a marketplace" (the typical spot for such an assembly), from ageirein "to assemble" (from PIE root *ger- "to gather").

The Greek word also could mean "public speaking," and "things to be sold." For sense, compare Roman forum.

agoraphobia (n.)

"fear of crossing open spaces," 1873, from German Agorophobie, coined 1871 by Berlin psychiatrist Carl Westphal from Greek agora "place of assembly, city market" (but here with the general sense "open space;" see agora) + -phobia "fear." Related: Agoraphobe; agoraphobic.

agrarian (adj.)

1610s, "relating to the land," from French agrarienne, from Latin agrarius "of the land," from ager (genitive agri) "a field" (from PIE root *agro- "field").

The specialized meaning "having to do with cultivated land" is recorded by 1792. Originally, and often subsequently, "pertaining to the division or sharing of landed property," which was the Roman sense. Earlier in English as agrarie (1530s), from Latin agraria. As a noun, by 1650s ("Oceana") as "an agrarian law;" by 1818 as "one in favor of redistribution of landed property."

agree (v.)

late 14c., "to give consent, assent," from Old French agreer "to please, satisfy; to receive with favor, take pleasure in" (12c.), a contraction of the phrase a gré "favorably, of good will," literally "to (one's) liking," or a like contraction in Medieval Latin. The French phrase is from a "to," from Latin ad (see ad-) + Old French gre, gret "that which pleases," from Latin gratum, neuter of gratus "pleasing, welcome, agreeable" (from suffixed form of PIE root *gwere- (2) "to favor").

In Middle English it also meant "to please, gratify, satisfy," a sense preserved in agreeable. Of parties, "come to agreement; make a settlement," mid-15c.; the meaning "to be in harmony in opinions" is from late 15c. Of things, "to coincide," from 1520s. To agree to differ is from 1785 (also agree to disagree, 1792). Related: Agreed; agreeing.

agreeable (adj.)

late 14c., of things, "to one's liking, pleasant, satisfactory, suitable," from Old French agreable "pleasing; in agreement; consenting" (12c., Modern French agréable), from agreer "to satisfy; to take pleasure in" (see agree). Of persons, "willing or ready to consent," mid-15c. Related: Agreeably; agreeability; agreeableness. To do the agreeable (1825) was to "act in a courteous manner."

agreeance (n.)

"act of agreement," 1530s, from French agréance, noun of action from agréer "to please, satisfy; take pleasure in" (see agree).

agreement (n.)

c. 1400, "mutual understanding" (among persons), also (of things) "mutual conformity," from Old French agrement, agreement, noun of action from agreer "to please" (see agree). Attested in English by early 15c. as "formal or documentary agreement, terms of settlement."

agribusiness (n.)

also agri-business, "agriculture as conducted on commercial principles, the business and technology of farming; industries dealing in agricultural produce and services," 1955, a compound formed from agriculture + business.

agriculture (n.)

mid-15c., "tillage, cultivation of large areas of land to provide food," from Late Latin agricultura "cultivation of the land," a contraction of agri cultura "cultivation of land," from agri, genitive of ager "a field" (from PIE root *agro- "field") + cultura "cultivation" (see culture (n.)). In Old English, the idea could be expressed by eorðtilþ.

agricultural (adj.)

"of or pertaining to or engaged in agriculture," 1766, from agriculture + -al (1). Related: Agriculturally; agriculturalist.

agrimony (n.)

plant of the rosaceous genus Agrimonia, from Old English agrimonia from Latin agrimonia. Prior says it is "probably" from Greek argemōnē, "but what this plant was, or why it was called so, is unknown."

agriology (n.)

study of prehistoric human customs, 1878, from agrio-, from Greek agrios "wild," literally "living in the fields," from agros "field" (from PIE root *agro- "field") + -logy. Related: Agriologist (n., 1875); agriological.

agro-

word-forming element meaning "pertaining to agriculture or cultivation," from Greek agros "field," from PIE root *agro- "field."

*agro-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "field;" probably a derivative of root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move."

It forms all or part of: acorn; acre; agrarian; agriculture; agriology; agro-; agronomy; onager; peregrinate; peregrination; peregrine; pilgrim; stavesacre.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit ajras "plain, open country," Greek agros "field," Latin ager (genitive agri) "a field," Gothic akrs, Old English æcer "field."

agronomy (n.)

"science of land management for crop production," 1796, from French agronomie (1761), from Greek agronomos "overseer of land." This is a compound of agros "a field, a farm; the country," as opposed to the town (see agro-), and nomos "law or custom, administering" (see -nomy). Related: Agronomist; agronomic.

aground (adv.)

late 13c., "on the ground," from a- "on" (see a- (1)) + ground (n.). Of ships and boats, "stranded," from c. 1500.

ague (n.)

c. 1300, "acute fever," also (late 14c.) "malarial fever (involving episodes of chills and shivering)" from Old French ague "acute fever," from Medieval Latin (febris) acuta "sharp (fever)," from fem. of acutus "sharp" (from PIE root *ak- "be sharp, rise (out) to a point, pierce").

ah (interj.)

mid-15c., an expression of surprise, delight, disgust, or pain in nearly all Indo-European languages, but not found in Old English (where the equivalent expression was la!), so perhaps from Old French a "ah!, oh! woe!"

A.H.

in Islamic calendrical reckoning, 1788, abbreviation of Medieval Latin Anno Hegirae, "Year of the Hegira," the flight of Muhammad from Mecca in 622 C.E., from which Muslims reckon time; from ablative of annus "year" (see annual (adj.)) + genitive of hegira.