[shake] vb shook ; shak.en ; shak.ing [ME, fr. OE sceacan; akin to ON skaka to shake] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to move irregularly to and fro
2: to vibrate esp. as the result of a blow or shock
3: to tremble as a result of physical or emotional disturbance
4: to experience a state of instability: totter
5: to briskly move something to and fro or up and down esp. in order to mix
6: to clasp hands 7: [3]trill ~ vt 1: to brandish, wave, or flourish often in a threatening manner
2: to cause to move in a usu. quick jerky manner
3: to cause to quake, quiver, or tremble
4. a: to free oneself from "~ a habit" "~ off a cold" b: to get away from: get rid of "can you ~ your friend? I want to talk to you alone --Elmer Davis"
5: to lessen the stability of: weaken "~ one's faith"
6: to bring to a specified condition by or as if by repeated quick jerky movements "shook himself loose from the man's grasp" 7: to dislodge or eject by quick jerky movements of the support or container "shook the dust from the cloth" 8: to clasp (hands) in greeting or farewell or as a sign of goodwill or agreement 9: to stir the feelings of: upset "shook her up" 10: [3]trill -- shak.able or shake.able adj -- shake a leg 1: dance
2: to hurry up syn shake, agitate, rock, convulse mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence. shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose "shake well before using". agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring "an ocean agitated by storms". rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval "the whole city was rocked by the explosion". convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm "spectators were convulsed with laughter".
[2]shake n (1581) 1: an act of shaking: as a: an act of shaking hands b: an act of shaking oneself
2. a: a blow or shock that upsets the equilibrium or disturbs the balance of something b: earthquake 3 pl a: a condition of trembling or nervousness; specif: delirium tremens b: malaria 2a
4: something produced by shaking: as a: a fissure separating annual rings of growth in timber b (1): milk shake (2): a beverage resembling a milk shake but made without milk
5: a wavering, quivering, or alternating motion caused by a blow or shock
6: trill 7: a very brief period of time
8. pl: one that is exceptional esp. in importance, ability, or merit--usu. used in the phrase no great shakes 9: a shingle split from a piece of log usu. three or four feet (about one meter) long 10: [3]deal 3 "a fair ~"