Agency

//ˈeɪ.d͡ʒən.si// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power. countable, uncountable

    "A few advances there are in the following papers tending to assert the superintendence and agency of Providence in the natural world."

  2. 2
    to have the ability to produce a particular effect or achieve an end wordnet
  3. 3
    The capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices. countable, uncountable

    "moral agency"

  4. 4
    a business or organization that provides a particular service, especially the mediation of transactions between two parties wordnet
  5. 5
    A medium through which power is exerted or an end is achieved. countable, uncountable
Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    an administrative unit of government wordnet
  2. 7
    The office or function of an agent; also, the relationship between a principal and that person's agent. countable, uncountable

    "authority of agency"

  3. 8
    the state of serving as an official and authorized delegate or agent wordnet
  4. 9
    An establishment engaged in doing business for another; also, the place of business or the district of such an agency. countable, uncountable

    "As an employment agency you have a responsibility to supply work to the individual agency worker, as well as a service to the client."

  5. 10
    the state of being in action or exerting power wordnet
  6. 11
    A department or other administrative unit of a government; also, the office or headquarters of, or the district administered by, such unit of government. countable, uncountable

    "Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry"

Etymology

From Medieval Latin agentia, from Latin agēns (present participle of agere (“to act”)), agentis (cognate with French agence, see also agent).

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