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Where does the word "agent" come from? It comes from Latin agens, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
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Where does the word "agent" come from? It comes from Latin agens, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
Agent’s story begins in Latin: agens meant “doing, acting.” Present participle of 'agere', to do. It reached English by 1400s as agent. Secret 'agents' date from the 1600s. Today, agent means a person who acts on behalf of another.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient agens "doing, acting", present participle of 'agere', to do.
- Stage 2 · English · 1400s agent "one who acts", secret 'agents' date from the 1600s.