To shake the sails
(gcide) | 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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