Etymology: < post-classical Latin agogice (noun), denoting a technique of metal sculpture using wax (1542 or earlier) < ancient Greek ἀγωγός leading, guiding, drawing forth, eliciting (reduplicated formation < ἄγειν to lead: see agon n.) + post-classical Latin -ice ( < ancient Greek -ική , after Greek nouns in -ική derived from the feminine of adjectives in -ικός , designating τέχνη , e.g. πλαστική (see plastic n.); compare -ic suffix).

Etymology: Apparently < German Agoge tempo (1818 or earlier; < ancient Greek ἀγωγή tempo in music (see note), specific sense of ἀγωγή carrying, leading, reduplicated formation < ἄγειν to lead: see agon n.) + -ic suffix, after German agogisch (1883 in an article by K. W. J. H. Riemann (compare quot. 1885). Compare agogics n.Ancient Greek ἀγωγή was used to denote both tempo in music and a kind of modulation. Martianus Capella (5th cent.) uses post-classical Latin agoge to denote the latter, and agoge rhythmica ‘rhythmic agoge’ for tempo. In English a noun agoge is attested from 1763 or earlier denoting a kind of modulation (compare also French agoge in this sense (1753 or earlier)), but the sense ‘tempo’ is apparently not attested. The phrase agoge rhythmica, denoting tempo, is attested in an English context from 1820 or earlier, and in a German context from 1759 or earlier.