ʃeɪk v. & n. --v. (past shook;
past part. shaken) 1 tr. & intr.
move forcefully or quickly up
and down or to and
fro. 2 a intr.
tremble or
vibrate markedly. b tr.
cause to do
this. 3 tr. a
agitate or shock. b colloq.
upset the composure of. 4 tr.
weaken or
impair;
make less convincing or firm or
courageous (shook
his confidence). 5 intr. (of a
voice,
note, etc.) make
tremulous or rapidly alternating sounds;
trill (his voice shook
with emotion). 6 tr.
brandish; make a threatening
gesture with (one's
fist, a stick, etc.). 7 intr. colloq. shake hands (they shook on the deal). 8 tr.
esp. US colloq. = shake
off. --n. 1 the
act or an
instance of shaking; the process of
being shaken. 2 a jerk or shock. 3 (in
pl.; prec. by the) a fit of or
tendency to trembling or shivering. 4 Mus. a trill. 5 =
milk shake. øin
two shakes (of a lamb's or dog's tail)
very quickly. no
great shakes colloq.
not very
good or
significant. shake a
person by the
hand = shake hands. shake down 1 settle or cause to
fall by shaking. 2 settle down. 3
become established;
get into harmony with circumstances,
surroundings, etc. 4 US sl.
extort money from. shake the
dust off one's
feet depart indignantly or disdainfully. shake hands (often foll. by with)
clasp right hands at
meeting or
parting, in reconciliation or
congratulation, or
over a concluded
bargain. shake one's
head move one's head from
side to side in
refusal,
denial, disapproval, or
concern. shake in one's shoes tremble with
apprehension. shake a
leg 1
begin dancing. 2 make a
start. shake off 1 get
rid of (something unwanted). 2
manage to
evade (a person
who is
following or pestering one). shake
out 1
empty by shaking. 2
spread or
open (a
sail, flag, etc.) by shaking. shake-out n. = shake-up. shake up 1
mix (ingredients) by shaking. 2
restore to
shape by shaking. 3
disturb or make
uncomfortable. 4
rouse from
lethargy,
apathy, conventionality, etc. shake-up n. an
upheaval or
drastic reorganization. øøshakeable adj. (also shakable). [OE sc(e)acan f. Gmc]