The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Agitation \Ag`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. agitatio: cf. F. agitation.]
   1. The act of agitating, or the state of being agitated; the
      state of being moved with violence, or with irregular
      action; commotion; as, the sea after a storm is in
      agitation.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A stirring up or arousing; disturbance of tranquillity;
      disturbance of mind which shows itself by physical
      excitement; perturbation; as, to cause any one agitation.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Excitement of public feeling by discussion, appeals, etc.;
      as, the antislavery agitation; labor agitation. "Religious
      agitations." --Prescott.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Examination or consideration of a subject in controversy,
      or of a plan proposed for adoption; earnest discussion;
      debate.
      [1913 Webster]

            A logical agitation of the matter.    --L'Estrange.
      [1913 Webster]

            The project now in agitation.         --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Emotion; commotion; excitement; trepidation; tremor;
        perturbation. See Emotion.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

agitation
    n 1: a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
    2: a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the
       political ferment produced new leadership"; "social unrest"
       [syn: agitation, ferment, fermentation,
       tempestuousness, unrest]
    3: the feeling of being agitated; not calm [ant: calmness]
    4: disturbance usually in protest [syn: agitation,
       excitement, turmoil, upheaval, hullabaloo]
    5: the act of agitating something; causing it to move around
       (usually vigorously)