I. ˈshäk 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
• shock·able ˈshä-kə-bəl adjective
V. adjective
Etymology: perhaps from shock (I)
Date: 1681
: bushy , shaggy
VI. noun
Date: 1819
: a thick bushy mass (as of hair)