v. & n.
v. (shrugged, shrugging) 1 intr. slightly and momentarily raise the shoulders to express indifference, helplessness, contempt, etc. 2 tr. a raise (the shoulders) in this way. b shrug the shoulders to express (indifference etc.) (shrugged his consent).
n. the act or an instance of shrugging. shrug off dismiss as unimportant etc. by or as if by shrugging.
[ ME: orig. unkn. ]