As a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is
shaken of a mighty wind. --Rev. vi. 13.
Ascend my chariot; guide the rapid wheels That shake
heaven's basis. --Milton.
2. Fig.: To move from firmness; to weaken the stability of;
to cause to waver; to impair the resolution of.
When his doctrines grew too strong to be shook by
his enemies, they persecuted his reputation.
--Atterbury.
Thy equal fear that my firm faith and love Can by
his fraud be shaken or seduced. --Milton.
3. (Mus.) To give a tremulous tone to; to trill; as, to shake
a note in music.
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.
Shake off the golden slumber of repose. --Shak.
'Tis our fast intent To shake all cares and business
from our age. --Shak.
I could scarcely shake him out of my company.
--Bunyan.
{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.
Under his burning wheels The steadfast empyrean shook
throughout, All but the throne itself of God. --Milton.
What danger? Who 's that that shakes behind there?
--Beau. & Fl.
{Shaking piece}, a name given by butchers to the piece of
beef cut from the under side of the neck. See Illust. of
{Beef}.
The great soldier's honor was composed Of thicker
stuff, which could endure a shake. --Herbert.
Our salutations were very hearty on both sides,
consisting of many kind shakes of the hand.
--Addison.
2. A fissure or crack in timber, caused by its being dried
too suddenly. --Gwilt.
3. A fissure in rock or earth.
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.
5. (Naut.) One of the staves of a hogshead or barrel taken
apart. --Totten.
6. A shook of staves and headings. --Knight.
7. (Zo["o]l.) The redshank; -- so called from the nodding of
its head while on the ground. [Prov. Eng.]
{No great shakes}, of no great importance. [Slang] --Byron.
{The shakes}, the fever and ague. [Colloq. U.S.]