[Gr. ἀγών, orig. ‘a gathering or assembly’ (f. ἄγ-ειν to lead, bring with one), esp. for the public games; hence ‘the contest for the prize at the games,’ and by extension, ‘any contest or struggle.’ The pl. is usually in the Gr. form ἄγῶνες agones.] Gr. Antiq. A public celebration of games, a contest for the prize at those games; also fig.
1647. Hammond, Chr. Oblig. Peace (1649), 78 (T.). Fit for combats and wrestlings and so came out to practise in these Agones.
c. 1660. Sancroft, Serm. (1694), 106 (T.). They must do their exercises too—be anointed to the agon and to the combat.
1846. Grote, Greece, II. II. iv. 422. Those religious games or agônes instituted by Herakles.
