agency

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A business that provides a particular service for people.

   She found her job through a recruitment agency.

2. 2
   noun

   A government department responsible for a specific area.

   The environmental protection agency issued new rules.

3. 3
   noun

   The ability of a person to act independently and make their own choices.

   Children gradually gain a sense of agency as they grow up.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti Proto-Italic *agō Latin agō Medieval Latin agēns Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Medieval Latin -ius Medieval Latin -ia Medieval Latin agēntiabor. English agency 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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