'The shakes' definitions:
Definition of 'The shakes'
From: GCIDE
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- The great soldier's honor was composed Of thicker stuff, which could endure a shake. --Herbert. [1913 Webster]
- Our salutations were very hearty on both sides, consisting of many kind shakes of the hand. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
- 2. A fissure or crack in timber, caused by its being dried too suddenly. --Gwilt. [1913 Webster]
- 3. A fissure in rock or earth. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- 5. (Naut.) One of the staves of a hogshead or barrel taken apart. --Totten. [1913 Webster]
- 6. A shook of staves and headings. --Knight. [1913 Webster]
- 7. (Zool.) The redshank; -- so called from the nodding of its head while on the ground. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]
- No great shakes, of no great importance. [Slang] --Byron.
- The shakes, the fever and ague. [Colloq. U.S.] [1913 Webster]
Words containing 'The shakes'
- Shake,
- Shaking,
- Shakings,
- shake down,
- shake off,
- shake up,
- shakes,
- Cup shake,
- No great shakes,
- Shaking palsy,
- Shaking piece,
- To shake a cask,
- To shake hands,
- To shake out a reef,
- To shake the bells,
- To shake the sails,
- Wind shake,
- fair shake,
- milk shake,
- shake hands,
- shake-up,
- two shakes,
- world shaking,
- earth-shaking,
- world-shaking