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.
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. (Zoöl.) The redshank; — so called from the nodding of its head while on the ground.
No great shakes, of no great importance. Byron. — The shakes, the fever and ague.