agency

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the state of being in action or exerting power

   the agency of providence

2. 2
   noun

   The capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power.

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

3. 3
   noun

   The capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices.

   moral agency

4. 4
   noun

   The office or function of an agent; also, the relationship between a principal and that person's agent.

   authority of agency

5. 5
   noun

   An establishment engaged in doing business for another; also, the place of business or the district of such an agency.

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

6. 6
   noun

   A department or other administrative unit of a government; also, the office or headquarters of, or the district administered by, such unit of government.

   Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

7. 7
   noun

   how a result is obtained or an end is achieved

8. 8
   noun

   a business that serves other businesses

Etymology

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).