Agency
/ˈeɪ.dʒən.si/noun
The capacity to act or exert power; an organization that provides a service.
Did you know?Agency comes from Latin *agere*, “to do, drive, set in motion,” the same ancient verb behind words tied to action, leadership, and even legal authority.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂eǵ-
“to drive, lead, set in motion”
Latin
Latin
agere
“to drive, lead, do, act”
Late Latin
Latin
agentia
“the state of acting; activity”
Old French
Old French
agence
“action, management, business”
17th Century
English
agency
“the state of acting or exerting power; action”