different between consternation vs agitation

English

Etymology

From French consternation, from Latin constern?ti?.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?k?n.st??ne?.??n/
• (US) enPR: k?n?st?r.n?'sh?n, IPA^(key): /?k?n.st??ne??.??n/
• Rhymes: -e???n

Noun

consternation (countable and uncountable, plural consternations)

1. Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.
   • 1899, Kate Chopin, The Awakening

     "Out!" exclaimed her husband, with something like genuine consternation in his voice.

   • 2003, Terrance Dicks & Barry Letts, Deadly Reunion, chapter 17:

     Their audience had been listening in increasing consternation.

   • February 27, 2006, Chuck Klosterman in Esquire, Invention's New Mother

     It was probably worth four millennia of consternation and regret.

Translations

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin constern?ti?. Morphologically, from consterner +? -ation.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k??s.t??.na.sj??/

Noun

consternation f (plural consternations)

1. consternation

Further reading

• “consternation” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Etymology

From French agitation, from Latin agit?ti? (“movement, agitation”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ad????te??(?)n/
• (US) IPA^(key): /æ.d????te?.??n/
• Rhymes: -e???n

Noun

agitation (countable and uncountable, plural agitations)

1. The act of agitating, or the state of being agitated; the state of being disrupted with violence, or with irregular action; commotion.

2. A disturbance of personal tranquillity; disturbance of someone's peace of mind.

   Synonym: perturbation

3. Excitement of public feeling by discussion, appeals, etc.
   • 1856-1858, William H. Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip II

     […] religious agitations […]

4. (archaic) Examination or consideration of a subject in controversy, or of a plan proposed for adoption; earnest discussion; debate.
   • 1732, Jonathan Swift, The Advantages Proposed by Repealing the Sacramental Test

     […] the project now in agitation […]

Synonyms

• emotion, commotion, excitement, trepidation, tremor, perturbation

Translations

References

• agitation in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

Danish

Noun

agitation c (singular definite agitationen, plural indefinite agitationer)

1. agitation

Declension

Further reading

• “agitation” in Den Danske Ordbog

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin agitatio. Surface analysis: agiter +? -ation.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a.?i.ta.sj??/

Noun

agitation f (plural agitations)

1. choppiness (of water), turbulence (in air), swaying (of branch etc.)
2. restlessness
3. bustle (of street, room etc.); activity
4. (nervous) agitation
5. (social) unrest

Descendants

• ? Romanian: agita?ie

Further reading

• “agitation” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).