ˈshākə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English schakare, from schaken, shaken to shake + Middle English -er, -ere, -are -er
1.
a. : one that shakes
thou mighty shaker of the earth — George Chapman
specifically : a worker who shakes things by hand or by machine to clean, separate, size, settle, loosen, or dry them
b. : any of various utensils or machines used in shaking: as
(1) : a conveyor on which materials (as coal) are shaken to and fro by an eccentric or similar action
(2) : a reciprocating rack in a thresher or combine that sifts grain and chaff from the straw
(3) : a vibrating screen used in a distillery to clean grain ; also : a similar screen used to separate spent beer into thick stillage and thin stillage
(4) : a container with perforated top from which something (as salt) is shaken
(5) : a utensil in which the ingredients of a mixed drink are prepared by shaking or stirring
2. usually capitalized : a member of any of several religious groups: as
a.
[so called from a former practice of performing a dance with shaking movements as a part of worship]
: a member of a communal and celibate religious body originating in England in the mid 18th century and brought to the United States in 1774, holding that God is both male and female, and stressing the obligation of living a simple and strict life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
b. : a member of a Northwest Indian religious group founded in the late 19th century that combines traditional Christian beliefs with indigenous elements
3. archaic : fantail 2a