shake

I. verb (shook; shaken; shaking) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sceacan; akin to Old Norse skaka to shake Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. to move irregularly to and fro 2. to vibrate especially as the result of a blow or shock 3. to tremble as a result of physical or emotional disturbance <

shook with fear

> 4. to experience a state of instability ; totter 5. to briskly move something to and fro or up and down especially in order to mix <

shake well before opening

> 6. to clasp hands 7. trill III transitive verb 1. to brandish, wave, or flourish often in a threatening manner <

protesters shaking their fists

> 2. to cause to move to and fro, up and down, or from side to side especially in a repetitive, rhythmic, or quick jerky manner <

shook his head in disapproval

> 3. to cause to quake, quiver, or tremble 4. a. to free oneself from <

shake a habit

> <

shake off a cold

> b. to get away from ; get rid of <

can you shake your friend? I want to talk to you alone — Elmer Davis

> 5. to lessen the stability of ; weaken <

shake one's faith

> 6. to bring to a specified condition by or as if by repeated quick jerky movements <

shook himself loose from the man's grasp

> 7. to dislodge or eject by quick jerky movements of the support or container <

shook the dust from the cloth

> 8. to clasp (hands) in greeting or farewell or as a sign of goodwill or agreement 9. to stir the feelings of ; upset, agitate <

shook her up

> 10. trill III • shakable or shakeable adjective Synonyms: shake, agitate, rock, convulse mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence. shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose <

shake well before using

>. agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring <

an ocean agitated by storms

>. rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval <

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

>. convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm <

spectators were convulsed with laughter

>. II. noun Date: 1581 1. an act of shaking: as a. an act of shaking hands b. an act of shaking oneself 2. a. a blow or shock that upsets the equilibrium or disturbs the balance of something b. earthquake 3. plural a. a condition of trembling or nervousness; specifically delirium tremens b. malaria 2a 4. something produced by shaking: as a. a fissure separating annual rings of growth in timber b. (1) milk shake (2) a beverage resembling a milk shake but made without milk 5. a wavering, quivering, or alternating motion caused by a blow or shock 6. trill 7. a very brief period of time <

I'll be there in two shakes

> 8. plural one that is exceptional especially in importance, ability, or merit — usually used in the phrase no great shakes 9. a shingle split from a piece of log usually three or four feet (about one meter) long 10. deal III,3 <

a fair shake

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