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¹shock

noun \ˈshäk\

Definition of SHOCK

: a pile of sheaves of grain or stalks of Indian corn set up in a field with the butt ends down

Origin of SHOCK

Middle English; akin to Middle High German schoc heap

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

Rhymes with SHOCK

bloc, block, bock, brock, chock, clock, cock, croc, crock, doc, dock, floc, flock, frock, grok, hock, jock, knock, lakh, loch, lock, Locke, lough, moc, mock, nock, pock, roc, rock, schlock, smock, sock, Spock, stock, wok

²shock

transitive verb

Definition of SHOCK

: to collect into shocks

First Known Use of SHOCK

15th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

³shock

noun, often attributive

Definition of SHOCK

: the impact or encounter of individuals or groups in combat

a : a violent shake or jar : concussion

b : an effect of such violence

a (1) : a disturbance in the equilibrium or permanence of something (2) : a sudden or violent mental or emotional disturbance

b : something that causes such disturbance <the loss came as a shock>

c : a state of being so disturbed <were in shock after they heard the news>

: a state of profound depression of the vital processes associated with reduced blood volume and pressure and caused usually by severe especially crushing injuries, hemorrhage, or burns

: sudden stimulation of the nerves and convulsive contraction of the muscles caused by the discharge of electricity through the animal body

a : stroke 5

b : coronary thrombosis

: shock absorber

Origin of SHOCK

Middle French choc, from choquer to strike against, from Old French choquier, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch schocken to jolt

First Known Use: 1565

Synonym Discussion of SHOCK

impact, collision, shock, concussion mean a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things. impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other <the glass shattered on impact with the floor>. collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded <the collision damaged the vehicle>. shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force <the shock of falling rocks>. concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow <bystanders felt the concussion of the blast>.

⁴shock

verb

Definition of SHOCK

transitive verb

a : to strike with surprise, terror, horror, or disgust

b : to cause to undergo a physical or nervous shock

c : to subject to the action of an electrical discharge

: to drive by or as if by a shock

intransitive verb

: to meet with a shock : collide

: to cause surprise or shock <an exhibit meant to shock>

— shock·able \ˈshä-kə-bəl\ adjective

First Known Use of SHOCK

1656

⁵shock

adjective

—used to describe something that surprises and usually upsets people

Full Definition of SHOCK

: bushy, shaggy

See shock defined for English-language learners

Origin of SHOCK

perhaps from ¹shock

First Known Use: 1681

⁶shock

noun

Definition of SHOCK

: a thick bushy mass (as of hair)

First Known Use of SHOCK

1819

SHOCKS Defined for Kids

¹shock

noun \ˈshäk\

Definition of SHOCK for Kids

: a bunch of sheaves of grain or stalks of corn set on end (as in a field)

²shock

noun

Definition of SHOCK for Kids

: a sudden strong unpleasant or upsetting feeling <a shock of surprise>

: something that causes a sudden unpleasant or upsetting feeling <His resignation came as a shock.>

: a severe shake, jerk, or impact <an earthquake shock>

: the effect of a charge of electricity passing through the body of a person or animal

: a serious bodily reaction that usually follows severe injury or large loss of blood

³shock

verb

shockedshock·ing

Definition of SHOCK for Kids

: to strike with surprise, horror, or disgust <Their behavior shocked us.>

: to affect by a charge of electricity

: to move to action especially by causing upset, surprise, or disgust <“Oh, Davy,” said Dora primly, shocked into speaking … — Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea>