adj.
Pronunciation: ' sh ā -k ē
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: shak · i · er ; -est
Date: 1703
1 : characterized by shakes < shaky timber>
2 a : lacking stability : PRECARIOUS <a shaky economy> <performed well after a shaky start> b : lacking in firmness (as of beliefs or principles) c : lacking in authority or reliability : QUESTIONABLE < shaky experimental procedures> < shaky data>
3 a : somewhat unsound in health b : characterized by shaking
4 : likely to give way or break down
– shak · i · ly \ -k ə -l ē \ adverb
– shak · i · ness \ -k ē -n ə s \ noun