shake

¹shake

verb \ˈshāk\

shook\ˈshu̇k\shak·en\ˈshā-kən\shak·ing

Definition of SHAKE

intransitive verb

1

: to move irregularly to and fro

2

: to vibrate especially as the result of a blow or shock

3

: to tremble as a result of physical or emotional disturbance <shook with fear>

4

: to experience a state of instability : totter

5

: to briskly move something to and fro or up and down especially in order to mix

6

: to clasp hands

7

: ³trill

transitive verb

1

: to brandish, wave, or flourish often in a threatening manner <protesters shaking their fists>

2

: to cause to move to and fro, up and down, or from side to side especially in a repetitive, rhythmic, or quick jerky manner <shook his head in disapproval>

3

: to cause to quake, quiver, or tremble

4

a : to free oneself from <shake a habit> <shake off a cold> b : to get away from : get rid of <can you shake your friend? I want to talk to you alone — Elmer Davis>

5

: to lessen the stability of : weaken <shake 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, agitate <shook her up>

10

: ³trill

— shak·able or shake·able \ˈshā-kə-bəl\ adjective

— shake a leg

1

: dance

2

: to hurry up

— shake a stick at

: to form a conception of (as by counting or imagining) : conceive —usually used in the phrase more than one can shake a stick at

Examples of SHAKE

1. The ground shook during the earthquake.
2. The house shook as the train rumbled by.
3. The earthquake shook the ground.
4. Shake the salad dressing well before using it.
5. I was so nervous that I was shaking like a leaf.
6. The fugitive couldn't shake the police.
7. It's hard to shake the feeling that I'm forgetting something.
8. The news did nothing to shake my belief that things will be okay.
9. Nothing could shake his faith in God.

Origin of SHAKE

Middle English, from Old English sceacan; akin to Old Norse skaka to shake

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SHAKE

Synonyms: agitate, bucket, convulse, jerk, jiggle, joggle, jolt, jounce, judder [chiefly British], quake, quiver, shudder, vibrate, wobble (also wabble)

Related Words: rock, sway, swing; chatter, quaver, shiver, thrill, tremble; twitch; dodder, waver; flicker, fluctuate, flutter, oscillate, undulate, wave; beat, palpitate, pit-a-pat, pitter-patter, pulsate, pulse, throb

Near Antonyms: accept, court, embrace, pursue, seek, welcome; catch, contract, incur

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of SHAKE

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>.