The interpretation of the word "agent" is diverse. Someone associates it with a film about the brave James Bond, while others represent a spy, embedded in some major structure like the CIA.
What is an "agent"? What are the meanings of this word, where did it come from? Let us consider in more detail the information about this in the article.
Generalized value
Let's turn to the dictionary. What will he tell us about the meaning of the word "agent"? In fact, there are several. And the main one is generalized. What is an "agent" according to this meaning? More precisely, who is this?
Agent - a person acting in someone’s interests, on behalf of his employer. He can be either private or be a representative of some organization or institution.
Other values
Also, the word "agent" occurs as:
1. Scientific agent.
It will be about the meaning of the word in the natural sciences. This refers to the acting factor of a process or phenomenon. Let us give an example of a chemical agent as the main active substance in the chemical interaction of mixtures or similar compounds (substances).
2. Secret agent.
Everything is clear here, it means a person who serves in intelligence and works for it. Such a person carries out orders of national importance.
3. Supplier.
In trade, for example, the word "agent" is also used. Here, such is the supplier of a product, which is an intermediary between its owner and the end user. In this case, the owner can not assume the function of an agent.
4. Marine agent.
A person providing a range of services when a seagoing vessel enters a port. In ordinary speech, this phrase is practically not used. It can only be heard as a special term.
5. The revolver.
Yes, this is not a joke. This is the name of one of the types of traumatic weapons. Its full name is "TKB 0216T" Agent "".
The origin of the word and synonyms
With the meanings in all their forms, we figured out. Now it remains to find out where this word came from in the Russian language. Or was it always present in it?
No, there are two versions about the origin of the word. None of them belongs to the Russian language. According to the first hypothesis, it was formed from the Hebrew ag, which translates as "move, drive."
There is a second assumption, which says: the word "agent" is a derivative of the Latin agent. Translated as "set in motion."
Most often, you can find the following synonyms of this word: employee, spy, scout, representative.
So we figured out what kind of beast is this "agent". It turns out that everything is quite simple. The main thing is not to get confused in the meanings of the given word.