- Shake
- Shake Shake, v. t. [imp. {Shook}; p. p. {Shaken}, ({Shook},
obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. {Shaking}.] [OE. shaken, schaken, AS.
scacan, sceacan; akin to Icel. & Sw. skaka, OS. skakan, to
depart, to flee. [root]161. Cf. {Shock}, v.]
1. To cause to move with quick or violent vibrations; to move
rapidly one way and the other; to make to tremble or
shiver; to agitate.
[1913 Webster]
As a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. --Rev. vi. 13. [1913 Webster]
Ascend my chariot; guide the rapid wheels That shake heaven's basis. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: To move from firmness; to weaken the stability of; to cause to waver; to impair the resolution of. [1913 Webster]
When his doctrines grew too strong to be shook by his enemies, they persecuted his reputation. --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]
Thy equal fear that my firm faith and love Can by his fraud be shaken or seduced. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. (Mus.) To give a tremulous tone to; to trill; as, to shake a note in music. [1913 Webster]
4. To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting or vibrating motion; to rid one's self of; -- generally with an adverb, as off, out, etc.; as, to shake fruit down from a tree. [1913 Webster]
Shake off the golden slumber of repose. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
'Tis our fast intent To shake all cares and business from our age. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
I could scarcely shake him out of my company. --Bunyan. [1913 Webster]
{To shake a cask} (Naut.), to knock a cask to pieces and pack the staves.
{To shake hands}, to perform the customary act of civility by clasping and moving hands, as an expression of greeting, farewell, good will, agreement, etc.
{To shake out a reef} (Naut.), to untile the reef points and spread more canvas.
{To shake the bells}. See under {Bell}.
{To shake the sails} (Naut.), to luff up in the wind, causing the sails to shiver. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.