shock

I. noun Etymology: Middle English; akin to Middle High German schoc heap Date: 14th century a pile of sheaves of grain or stalks of Indian corn set up in a field with the butt ends down II. transitive verb Date: 15th century to collect into shocks III. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle French choc, from choquer to strike against, from Old French choquier, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch schocken to jolt Date: 1565 1. the impact or encounter of individuals or groups in combat 2. a. a violent shake or jar ; concussion b. an effect of such violence 3. a. (1) a disturbance in the equilibrium or permanence of something (2) a sudden or violent mental or emotional disturbance b. something that causes such disturbance <

the loss came as a shock

> c. a state of being so disturbed <

were in shock after they heard the news

> 4. a state of profound depression of the vital processes associated with reduced blood volume and pressure and caused usually by severe especially crushing injuries, hemorrhage, or burns 5. sudden stimulation of the nerves and convulsive contraction of the muscles caused by the discharge of electricity through the animal body 6. a. stroke 5 b. coronary thrombosis 7. shock absorber Synonyms: see impact IV. verb Date: 1656 transitive verb 1. a. to strike with surprise, terror, horror, or disgust b. to cause to undergo a physical or nervous shock c. to subject to the action of an electrical discharge 2. to drive by or as if by a shock intransitive verb 1. to meet with a shock ; collide 2. to cause surprise or shock <

an exhibit meant to shock

> • shockable adjective V. adjective Etymology: perhaps from 1shock Date: 1681 bushy, shaggy VI. noun Date: 1819 a thick bushy mass (as of hair)