shift
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1shift
verb \ˈshift\Definition of SHIFT
transitive verb
1
: to exchange for or replace by another : change
2
a : to change the place, position, or direction of : move b : to make a change in (place)
3
: to change phonetically
intransitive verb
1
a : to change place or position b : to change direction <the wind shifted> c : to change gears d : to depress the shift key (as on a typewriter)
2
a : to assume responsibility <had to shift for themselves> b : to resort to expedients
3
a : to go through a change <she shifted in her approach> b : to change one's clothes c : to become changed phonetically
— shift·able \ˈshif-tə-bəl\ adjective
— shift gears
: to make a change
See Examples of SHIFT
- I shifted the bag to my other shoulder.
- She shifted her position slightly so she could see the stage better.
- They shifted him to a different department.
- He nervously shifted from foot to foot.
- She shifted in her seat.
- Public opinion has shifted dramatically in recent months.
- Their efforts to shift public opinion have failed.
- I wanted to shift the discussion back to the main point.
- They tried to shift the blame onto us.
- Their attempts at shifting attention away from the controversy seemed to be working.
Origin of SHIFT
Middle English, from Old English sciftan to divide, arrange; akin to Old Norse skipa to arrange, assign
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to SHIFT
2shift
nounDefinition of SHIFT
1
2
a chiefly dialect : a change of clothes b (1) chiefly dialect : shirt (2) : a woman's slip or chemise (3) : a usually loose-fitting or semifitted dress
3
a : a change in direction <a shift in the wind> b : a change in emphasis, judgment, or attitude
4
a : a group of people who work or occupy themselves in turn with other groups b (1) : a change of one group of people (as workers) for another in regular alternation (2) : a scheduled period of work or duty <works the night shift>
5
: a change in place or position: as a : a change in the position of the hand on a fingerboard (as of a violin) b (1) : fault 5 (2) : the relative displacement of rock masses on opposite sides of a fault or fault zone c (1) : a simultaneous change of position in football by two or more players from one side of the line to the other (2) : a change of positions made by one or more players in baseball to provide better defense against a particular hitter d : a change in frequency resulting in a change in position of a spectral line or band — compare doppler effect e : a movement of bits in a computer register a specified number of places to the right or left
6
: a removal from one person or thing to another : transfer
7
8
: a bid in bridge in a suit other than the suit one's partner has bid — compare jump
9
Examples of SHIFT
- There will be a shift of responsibility when she takes the new position.
- a shift away from tradition
- a gradual shift toward more liberal policies
- a shift in voter opinion
- The day shift worked overtime.
- The restaurant needed only one shift for lunch.
- He works the day shift.
First Known Use of SHIFT
1523
shift
noun \ˈshift\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of SHIFT
: a change in place, position, or frequency: as a : a change in frequency resulting in a change in position of a spectral line or band—compare doppler effect b : a removal or transfer from one thing or place to another—see chloride shift
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