Agency Dictionary

Agora

nounPronunciation: /ˈæɡ.ə.rə/

In Portuguese: Ágora

What does “Agora” mean?

A public open space in ancient Greek cities used for assemblies, commercial markets, and philosophical dialogue.

Etymology

From Greek agorá, "assembly, place of assembly, marketplace", from ageirein, "to gather". English borrowed the word directly from Greek as a term of ancient history. The same root appears in agoraphobia and, through the verb agoreuein ("to speak in the assembly"), in allegory and category.

Usage note

Stressed on the first syllable (AG-uh-ruh). The plural is agoras or, after the Greek, agorai.

Synonyms

marketplace
forum
public square

Often confused with

forum: The forum was the public square of a Roman city; the agora was its counterpart in a Greek city.
agora (Portuguese adverb): The Portuguese adverb agora means now and comes from Latin hac hora; it is unrelated to the Greek noun.

Word family

agoraphobia
agoraphobic

Usage examples

The Roman era witnessed a continuation of grand construction projects, some of which remain impressive to this day, such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Gate, and the Roman Agora.

Concept

Golden Age of AthensThe Golden Age of Athens was a fifth-century BCE period of democratic stability, cultural flourishing, and economic prosperity led by the statesman Pericles. It laid…

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Issue.7 - Economy in Crisis Pt.1March 16, 2023Read the edition

Words of the same theme

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Stigmanoun: A mark of social disgrace, shame, or prejudice associated with a particular circumstance, trait, or behavior.
collective consciousnessnoun: The set of beliefs, ideas and feelings shared by the members of a society, which exists beyond any single person. By extension, what a community knows and repeats in common.
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samurainoun: A member of the warrior class of feudal Japan, bound by codes of loyalty and honour, who served under the shogunate system. In the article, the samurai class is one of the two groups with access to Noh theatre.
Alchemistnoun: A practitioner of alchemy, seeking to transmute base metals into noble elements and discover a universal cure.
Allegiancenoun: Loyalty, commitment, or devoted obligation felt by an individual toward a nation, cause, sovereign, or athletic club. It creates emotional cohesion and enduring solidarity across social communities.
amphitheatrenoun: An oval or circular open-air venue with tiered seating used in the Roman world for gladiatorial contests, beast hunts, and public executions.
aqueductnoun: An engineered conduit or bridge designed to convey water from distant freshwater springs into urban centers using gravity flow.
baronnoun: A member of the aristocracy, or an influential magnate exercising commanding power in a specific industry.
Benefactornoun: A person who supports, protects, or assists another individual through resources, rank, or mentorship.

Also from these editions: terms

Bailoutnoun: An emergency provision of financial assistance to a failing company, bank, or economy to prevent insolvency.
Chitonnoun: A draped garment or tunic worn by men and women in ancient Greece, usually fastened at the shoulders by brooches.
Deflationaryadjective: Tending to cause or associated with a general and persistent decline in price levels across an economy.
Emporoinoun: Ancient Greek merchants or maritime traders who carried goods between different city-states and overseas ports.
Ephemeraladjective: Lasting for only a very brief period of time; fleeting, transitory, or impermanent in nature.
Eruditeadjective: Characterized by great knowledge, extensive learning, and scholarly cultivation across diverse disciplines.
Himationnoun: An outer garment consisting of a large rectangular mantle draped over the body, worn in ancient Greece.
Hydrianoun: An ancient Greek ceramic water vessel featuring three handles, used for carrying and pouring fresh water.
Oratorynoun: The formal skill, art, or practice of public speaking with eloquence, clarity, and persuasive power.
Stagnationnoun: A state of inactivity, sluggishness, or lack of growth in an economy or commercial system.
Volatilitynoun: The liability to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially in the market price of an asset or security.