Formerly referred to as agitated (7)
I believe the answer is:
excited
'agitated' is the definition.
('excite' can be a synonym of 'agitate')
'formerly referred to' is the wordplay.
'formerly' becomes 'ex'.
'referred to' becomes 'cited' ('cite' can be a synonym of 'refer to').
'ex'+'cited'='EXCITED'
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for excited that I've seen before include "Jubilant" , "Animated" , "in a state of agitation" , "Worked up" , "Aroused, enthused" .)