Agency, n.; pl. Agencies.
Etymology: [agentia, fr. L. agens, agentis: cf. F. agence. See Agent.]
1. The faculty of acting or of exerting power; the state of being in action; action; instrumentality. The superintendence and agency of Providence in the natural world. Woodward.
2. The office of an agent, or factor; the relation between a principal and his agent; business of one intrusted with the concerns of another.
3. The place of business of am agent.
Syn. -- Action; operation; efficiency; management.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for agency; he lists it under operation.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.