from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Shake \Shake\, n.
1. The act or result of shaking; a vacillating or wavering
motion; a rapid motion one way and other; a trembling,
quaking, or shivering; agitation.
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The great soldier's honor was composed
Of thicker stuff, which could endure a shake.
--Herbert.
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Our salutations were very hearty on both sides,
consisting of many kind shakes of the hand.
--Addison.
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2. A fissure or crack in timber, caused by its being dried
too suddenly. --Gwilt.
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3. A fissure in rock or earth.
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4. (Mus.) A rapid alternation of a principal tone with
another represented on the next degree of the staff above
or below it; a trill.
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5. (Naut.) One of the staves of a hogshead or barrel taken
apart. --Totten.
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6. A shook of staves and headings. --Knight.
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7. (Zool.) The redshank; -- so called from the nodding of its
head while on the ground. [Prov. Eng.]
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{No great shakes}, of no great importance. [Slang] --Byron.
{The shakes}, the fever and ague. [Colloq. U.S.]
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