shake

²shake

noun

Definition of SHAKE

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

plural a : a condition of trembling or nervousness; specifically : 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 <I'll be there in two shakes>

8

plural : one that is exceptional especially in importance, ability, or merit —usually used in the phrase no great shakes

9

: a shingle split from a piece of log usually three or four feet (about one meter) long

10

: ³deal 3 <a fair shake>

Examples of SHAKE

1. He responded to the question with a shake of his head.
2. Give the dice a shake.
3. He drank too much coffee and got a bad case of the shakes.

First Known Use of SHAKE

1581

Related to SHAKE

Synonyms: beat, eyeblink, flash, heartbeat, jiff, jiffy, minute, moment, nanosecond, New York minute, second, instant, split second, trice, twinkle, twinkling, wink

Related Words: microsecond; snatch, spurt

Near Antonyms: aeon (or eon), age, eternity, forever; infinity, lifetime

see all synonyms and antonyms

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