Reading Theme:
Agent Meaning: 4 Key Definitions with Examples (4 meaning)
Meaning 1：representative (agent)
agent
/ˈeɪdʒənt/
n.
A person who acts or does business on behalf of another person or company.
representative
➕
/ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv/
n.
A person authorized to act on behalf of another, especially in business or legal matters.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'ag-' (to do, drive) + '-ent' (one who) => one who acts or does.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'A genie (agent) acts on your behalf, doing tasks for you in business or secret missions.'
📖 Example
We hired a real estate agent to help us find our first apartment.
We hired a real estate agent to help us find our first apartment.
🔗 Collocations
real estate agent – A professional who assists in buying, selling, or renting property.
travel agent – A person who arranges travel bookings for clients.
insurance agent – A person who sells and manages insurance policies.
🔄 Synonyms
representative (n.) – A person who acts or speaks for others.
broker (n.) – A person who arranges transactions between buyers and sellers.
delegate (n.) – A person sent to represent others, often in a political context.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'agere' (to do, act). Entered English via Old French 'agent' in the 15th century, originally meaning 'one who acts for another'. Expanded to espionage and chemistry during the 19th century.
Meaning 2：spy (agent)
agent
/ˈeɪdʒənt/
n.
A person who works secretly for a government or organization to get information.
spy
➕
/spaɪ/
n.
A person employed by a government or organization to secretly obtain information about another entity.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
In the movie, the undercover agent successfully infiltrated the organization and gathered crucial information.
In the movie, the undercover agent successfully infiltrated the organization and gathered crucial information.
🔗 Collocations
undercover agent – A spy who operates in disguise within a target group.
double agent – A spy who works for two opposing sides simultaneously.
secret agent – A government operative engaged in covert activities.
🔄 Synonyms
Meaning 3：active substance (agent)
agent
/ˈeɪdʒənt/
n.
A substance or force that causes a change or produces a specific effect.
active substance
➕
/ˈæktɪv ˈsʌbstəns/
n.
A chemical substance or physical force that causes a specific reaction or effect.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
This laundry detergent contains a powerful cleaning agent that removes tough stains.
This laundry detergent contains a powerful cleaning agent that removes tough stains.
🔗 Collocations
cleaning agent – A substance used to remove dirt and stains.
chemical agent – A chemical used in industrial or laboratory processes.
oxidizing agent – A substance that accepts electrons in a chemical reaction.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
inhibitor (n.) – A substance that slows down or prevents a chemical reaction.
Meaning 4：autonomous program (agent)
agent
/ˈeɪdʒənt/
n.
In computing, a program that can act independently to perform tasks for a user.
autonomous program
➕
/ɔːˈtɒnəməs ˈproʊɡræm/
n.
A software program designed to perform tasks automatically and independently, often using AI.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The AI agent in the game can learn from your playing style and become a more challenging opponent.
The AI agent in the game can learn from your playing style and become a more challenging opponent.
🔗 Collocations
AI agent – A software agent that uses artificial intelligence to make decisions.
autonomous agent – A program that operates without continuous human guidance.
intelligent agent – A system that perceives its environment and takes actions to achieve goals.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
manual control (n.) – Operation directly handled by a human rather than an automated program.
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