Agent, 1) he by whom something is effected: “this entertainment may well become the a.” Wint. I, 2, 114. “night's black --s to their preys do rouse,” Mcb. III, 2, 53.
2) the instrument by whose help something is effected: “being the --s, or base second means,” H4A I, 3, 165. “as the a. of our cardinal, to second all his plot,” H8 III, 2, 59. “thus is the poor a. despised,” Troil. V, 10, 36. cf. H6B III, 2, 115. Cymb. I, 5, 76. Used of the organs of the body: “his other --s aim at like delight,” Ven. 400. Cor. I, 1, 126. Mcb. I, 7, 80.
3) the substitute, deputy: “here is her hand, the a. of her heart,” Gentl. I, 3, 46. “this ungenitured a.” Meas. III, 2, 184. Ado II, 1, 187. John II, 87.
Shakespeare Lexicon. Alexander Schmidt. Berlin. Georg Reimer. 1902.
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