1. The act of agitating or the state of being agitated.
2. Extreme emotional disturbance; perturbation.
3. The stirring up of public interest in a matter of controversy, such as a political or social issue.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.