shad|owy /ʃæ doʊi/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A shadowy place is dark or full of shadows. □ I watched him from a shadowy corner.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A shadowy figure or shape is someone or something that you can hardly see because they are in a dark place. □ …a tall, shadowy figure silhouetted against the pale wall.
3 ADJ You describe activities and people as shadowy when very little is known about them. □ …the shadowy world of spies.
shady /ʃe I di/ (shadier , shadiest )
1 ADJ You can describe a place as shady when you like the fact that it is sheltered from bright sunlight, for example by trees or buildings. □ After flowering, place the pot in a shady spot in the garden.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Shady trees provide a lot of shade. □ Clara had been reading in a lounge chair under a shady tree.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe activities as shady when you think that they might be dishonest or illegal. You can also use shady to describe people who are involved in such activities. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The company was notorious for shady deals.
shaft /ʃɑː ft, ʃæ ft/ (shafts )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A shaft is a long vertical passage, for example for a lift. □ He was found dead at the bottom of a lift shaft. □ …old mine shafts.
2 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] In a machine, a shaft is a rod that turns round continually in order to transfer movement in the machine. □ …a drive shaft. □ …the propeller shaft.
3 N‑COUNT A shaft is a long thin piece of wood or metal that forms part of a spear, axe, golf club, or other object. □ …golf clubs with steel shafts.
4 N‑COUNT A shaft of light is a beam of light, for example sunlight shining through an opening. □ [+ of ] A brilliant shaft of sunlight burst through the doorway.
shag /ʃæ g/ (shags , shagging , shagged ) VERB If someone shags another person, or if two people shag , they have sex together. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ] ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Shag is also a noun. □ …a spy movie with car chases, a murder, a shag and a happy ending.
shag|gy /ʃæ gi/ (shaggier , shaggiest ) ADJ Shaggy hair or fur is long and untidy. □ Tim has longish, shaggy hair.
Shah /ʃɑː / (Shahs ) N‑PROPER In former times, the Shah of Iran was its ruler.
shaikh /ʃe I k/ (shaikhs ) → see sheikh
shake ◆◆◇ /ʃe I k/ (shakes , shaking , shook , shaken )
1 VERB If you shake something, you hold it and move it quickly backwards and forwards or up and down. You can also shake a person, for example, because you are angry with them or because you want them to wake up. □ [V n] The nurse shook the thermometer and put it under my armpit. □ [V n] Shake the rugs well and hang them for a few hours before replacing on the floor. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Shake is also a noun. □ She picked up the bag of salad and gave it a shake.
2 VERB If you shake yourself or your body, you make a lot of quick, small, repeated movements without moving from the place where you are. □ [V pron-refl] As soon as he got inside, the dog shook himself. □ [V n] He shook his hands to warm them up. ● N‑COUNT Shake is also a noun. □ Take some slow, deep breaths and give your body a bit of a shake.
3 VERB If you shake your head , you turn it from side to side in order to say 'no' or to show disbelief or sadness. □ [V n] 'Anything else?' Colum asked. Kathryn shook her head wearily. ● N‑COUNT Shake is also a noun. □ [+ of ] Palmer gave a sad shake of his head.
4 VERB If you are shaking , or a part of your body is shaking , you are making quick, small movements that you cannot control, for example because you are cold or afraid. □ [V ] My hand shook so much that I could hardly hold the microphone. □ [V + with ] I stood there, crying and shaking with fear.
5 VERB If you shake your fist or an object such as a stick at someone, you wave it in the air in front of them because you are angry with them. □ [V n + at ] The colonel rushed up to Earle, shaking his gun at him.
6 VERB If a force shakes something, or if something shakes , it moves from side to side or up and down with quick, small, but sometimes violent movements. □ [V n] …an explosion that shook buildings several kilometers away. □ [V ] The breeze grew in strength, the flags shook, plastic bunting creaked.
7 VERB To shake something into a certain place or state means to bring it into that place or state by moving it quickly up and down or from side to side. □ [V n prep] Small insects can be collected by shaking them into a jar. □ [V n with adv] Shake off any excess flour before putting the liver in the pan.
8 VERB If your voice is shaking , you cannot control it properly and it sounds very unsteady, for example because you are nervous or angry. □ [V + with ] His voice shaking with rage, he asked why the report was kept from the public. [Also V ]
9 VERB If an event or a piece of news shakes you, or shakes your confidence, it makes you feel upset and unable to think calmly. □ [V n] The news of Tandy's escape had shaken them all. ● shak|en ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ Unhurt, but a bit shaken, she was trying not to cry.