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cup shake

American  

noun

  1. wind shake.


Etymology

Origin of cup shake

First recorded in 1785–95; so called because wood so damaged separates into concentric, cuplike pieces

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Did your coffee cup shake and your corn flakes fly across the room?

From The Guardian

Frost may in some instances be responsible for cup shake or at least a contributing factor, although trees growing in regions free from frost often have ring shake.

From Project Gutenberg

Shrinkage of the heartwood may be concentric as well as radial in its action, thus producing cup shake instead of, or in connection with, heart shake.

From Project Gutenberg

A local defect somewhat similar in effect to cup shake is known as rind gall.

From Project Gutenberg

Cup shake is often associated with other forms of shake, and not infrequently shows traces of decay.

From Project Gutenberg