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¹shake

verb \ˈshāk\

: to move sometimes violently back and forth or up and down with short, quick movements

: to move or have parts of your body move in short, quick movements and in a way that you are not able to control

: to free yourself from (someone or something) : to get away from or get rid of (someone or something)

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

Full Definition of SHAKE

intransitive verb

: to move irregularly to and fro

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

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

: to experience a state of instability : totter

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

: to clasp hands

: ³trill

transitive verb

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

: 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>

: to cause to quake, quiver, or tremble

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>

: to lessen the stability of : weaken <shake one's faith>

: to bring to a specified condition by or as if by repeated quick jerky movements <shook himself loose from the man's grasp>

: to dislodge or eject by quick jerky movements of the support or container <shook the dust from the cloth>

: to clasp (hands) in greeting or farewell or as a sign of goodwill or agreement

: to stir the feelings of : upset, agitate <shook her up>

: ³trill

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

— shake a leg

: dance

: 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

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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)

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>.