Agitatively

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Demonstrating a state of being emotionally stirred or disturbed while also being in an anxious or restless manner
2. Characterized by an intense, often nervous energy that reflects agitation and restlessness
3. Exhibiting a quality of unrest or fervor that indicates emotional turbulence and a sense of urgency

Etymology: The adverb descends from the Latin verb "agere," meaning to drive or set in motion, which also gave English "act" and "agent." Its frequentative form, "agitare," meant to keep driving or tossing something about. English first used "agitate" for physical shaking, as when a bottle is stirred before use, and then extended it to the mind, so that to be agitated means to be emotionally stirred up. The adjective "agitative," describing something that tends to stir or disturb, is formed by adding "-ive" to that root. Adding "-ly" turns it into an adverb describing the manner of an action. Because the word is rare, it is best understood as a plain combination of these parts rather than one with its own separate history.