from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Shake \Shake\, v. t. [imp. {Shook}; p. p. {Shaken}, ({Shook},
obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. {Shaking}.] [OE. shaken, schaken, AS.
scacan, sceacan; akin to Icel. & Sw. skaka, OS. skakan, to
depart, to flee. [root]161. Cf. {Shock}, v.]
1. To cause to move with quick or violent vibrations; to move
rapidly one way and the other; to make to tremble or
shiver; to agitate.
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As a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is
shaken of a mighty wind. --Rev. vi. 13.
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Ascend my chariot; guide the rapid wheels
That shake heaven's basis. --Milton.
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2. Fig.: To move from firmness; to weaken the stability of;
to cause to waver; to impair the resolution of.
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When his doctrines grew too strong to be shook by
his enemies, they persecuted his reputation.
--Atterbury.
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Thy equal fear that my firm faith and love
Can by his fraud be shaken or seduced. --Milton.
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3. (Mus.) To give a tremulous tone to; to trill; as, to shake
a note in music.
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4. To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting
or vibrating motion; to rid one's self of; -- generally
with an adverb, as off, out, etc.; as, to shake fruit down
from a tree.
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Shake off the golden slumber of repose. --Shak.
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'Tis our fast intent
To shake all cares and business from our age.
--Shak.
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I could scarcely shake him out of my company.
--Bunyan.
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{To shake a cask} (Naut.), to knock a cask to pieces and pack
the staves.
{To shake hands}, to perform the customary act of civility by
clasping and moving hands, as an expression of greeting,
farewell, good will, agreement, etc.
{To shake out a reef} (Naut.), to untile the reef points and
spread more canvas.
{To shake the bells}. See under {Bell}.
{To shake the sails} (Naut.), to luff up in the wind, causing
the sails to shiver. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
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