A"gent (#), a. [L. agens, agentis, p. pr. of agere to act; akin to Gr. to lead, Icel. aka to drive, Skr. aj. .]
Acting -- opposed to patient, or sustaining, action.
[Archaic] "The body
agent."
Bacon.
© Webster 1913.
A"gent, n.
1.
One who exerts power, or has the power to act; an actor.
Heaven made us agents, free to good or ill.
Dryden.
2.
One who acts for, or in the place of, another, by authority from him; one intrusted with the business of another; a substitute; a deputy; a factor.
3.
An active power or cause; that which has the power to produce an effect; as, a physical, chemical, or medicinal agent; as, heat is a powerful agent.
© Webster 1913.