shift
shift /ˈʃɪft/
noun
-
(
)
A qualitative change
(
transmutation
, transformation
, shift
)
a qualitative change
The night shift workers reported to their stations as the day shift ended.
The night shift workers reported to their stations as the day shift ended.
-
()
An event in which something is displaced without rotation
(
displacement
, shift
)
an event in which something is displaced without rotation
The tectonic shift caused an earthquake.
The tectonic shift caused an earthquake.
-
()
The act of changing one thing or position for another
(
switch
, switching
, shift
)
the act of changing one thing or position for another
His switch on abortion cost him the election
his switch on abortion cost him the election
-
()
The time period during which you are at work
(
duty period
, work shift
, shift
)
the time period during which you are at work
The night shift at the factory begins at midnight.
The night shift at the factory begins at midnight.
-
()
The act of moving from one place to another
(
shifting
, shift
)
the act of moving from one place to another
His constant shifting disrupted the class
his constant shifting disrupted the class
-
A loose-fitting dress hanging straight from the shoulders without a waist
(
chemise
, sack
, shift
)
a loose-fitting dress hanging straight from the shoulders without a waist
-
A woman's sleeveless undergarment
(
chemise
, shift
, shimmy
, slip
, teddy
)
a woman's sleeveless undergarment
She wore a slip under her dress to keep it from clinging
She wore a slip under her dress to keep it from clinging
-
The key on the typewriter keyboard that shifts from lower-case letters to upper-case letters
(
shift
, shift key
)
the key on the typewriter keyboard that shifts from lower-case letters to upper-case letters
-
A crew of workers who work for a specific period of time
(
shift
)
a crew of workers who work for a specific period of time
-
(geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other
(
fault
, faulting
, fracture
, geological fault
, break
, shift
)
(geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other
They built it right over a geological fault
they built it right over a geological fault
He studied the faulting of the earth's crust
he studied the faulting of the earth's crust
verb
-
()
Make a shift in or exchange of
(
change over
, switch
, shift
)
make a shift in or exchange of
First Joe led; then we switched
First Joe led; then we switched
-
()
Change place or direction
(
dislodge
, reposition
, shift
)
change place or direction
Shift one's position
Shift one's position
-
()
Move around
(
shift
, transfer
)
move around
Transfer the packet from his trouser pockets to a pocket in his jacket
transfer the packet from his trouser pockets to a pocket in his jacket
-
()
Move from one setting or context to another
(
shift
)
move from one setting or context to another
Shift the emphasis
shift the emphasis
Shift one's attention
shift one's attention
-
()
Move very slightly
(
agitate
, shift
, budge
, stir
)
move very slightly
He shifted in his seat
He shifted in his seat
-
()
Move and exchange for another
(
shift
)
move and exchange for another
Shift the date for our class reunion
shift the date for our class reunion
-
()
Change in quality
(
shift
)
change in quality
His tone shifted
His tone shifted
-
Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
(
shift
, switch
, change
)
lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
Switch to a different brand of beer
switch to a different brand of beer
She switched psychiatrists
She switched psychiatrists
The car changed lanes
The car changed lanes
-
[ N. American]
Change gears
(
shift
[ N. American] )
change gears
You have to shift when you go down a steep hill
you have to shift when you go down a steep hill
-
(phonetics) change phonetically as part of a systematic historical change
(
shift
)
(phonetics) change phonetically as part of a systematic historical change
Grimm showed how the consonants shifted
Grimm showed how the consonants shifted
-
Use a shift key on a keyboard
(
shift
)
use a shift key on a keyboard
She could not shift so all her letters are written in lower case
She could not shift so all her letters are written in lower case
-
Move abruptly
(
shift
, lurch
, pitch
)
move abruptly
The ship suddenly lurched to the left
The ship suddenly lurched to the left
-
Move sideways or in an unsteady way
(
careen
, shift
, tilt
, wobble
)
move sideways or in an unsteady way
The ship careened out of control
The ship careened out of control
