Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            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.