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shake definition

shake (s̸hāk)

transitive verb shook, shaken shak′en, shaking shak′·ing

  1. to cause to move up and down, back and forth, or from side to side with short, quick movements
  2. to bring, force, mix, stir up, dislodge, rearrange, etc. by or as by abrupt, brisk movements to shake a medicine before taking it
    1. to scatter by short, quick movements of the container to shake pepper on a steak
    2. to clean, empty, or straighten by short, quick movements: often with out to shake a rug
  4. to cause to quiver or tremble chills that shook his body
    1. to cause to totter or become unsteady
    2. to unnerve; disturb; upset shaken by the news
  6. to brandish; flourish; wave
  7. to clasp (another's hand), as in greeting
  8. ☆ Informal to get away from or rid of to shake one's pursuers
  9. Music trill

Etymology: ME schaken < OE sceacan, akin to LowG schaken < IE *skeg-, var. of base *skek- > shag

intransitive verb

  1. to move or be moved quickly and irregularly up and down, back and forth, or from side to side; vibrate
  2. to tremble, quake, or quiver, as from cold or fear
  3. to become unsteady; totter; reel
  4. to clasp each other's hand, as in greeting
  5. Music trill

noun

  1. an act of shaking; back-and-forth movement
  2. an unsteady or trembling movement; tremor
  3. a natural split or fissure in rock or timber
  4. a long shingle split from a log
  5. Informal an earthquake
  6. ☆ milkshake
  7. Informal a convulsive trembling, as from disease, fear, alcoholism, etc.: usually with the
  8. Informal a very short time; moment be back in a shake
  9. Informal a particular kind of treatment; deal to get a fair shake
  10. Music trill

Related Forms:

shake Idioms

give someone the shake

or give something the shake☆
Slang to avoid or get rid of an undesirable person (or thing)

no great shakes

Informal not of outstanding ability, importance, etc.; ordinary

shake down

  1. to bring down or cause to fall by shaking
  2. to cause to settle by shaking
  3. to test or condition (new equipment, etc.)
  4. ☆ Slang to extort money from, as by blackmail

shake hands

to clasp each other's hand as a token of agreement or friendship, or in parting or greeting

shake off

  1. to get away from or rid of (an undesirable person or thing)
  2. to reject (a suggestion, request, etc.)

shake up

  1. to shake, esp. so as to mix, blend, or loosen
  2. to disturb or rouse by or as by shaking
  3. to jar or shock
  4. to redistribute or reorganize by or as by shaking

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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