To shake the sails

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]