shaker
[shey-ker]
- a person or thing that shakes.
- a container with a perforated top from which a seasoning, condiment, sugar, flour, or the like is shaken onto food.
- any of various containers for shaking beverages to mix the ingredients: a cocktail shaker.
- a dredger or caster.
- (initial capital letter) a member of the Millennial Church, originating in England in the middle of the 18th century and brought to the U.S. in 1774, advocating celibacy, common ownership of property, and a strict and simple way of life: so called from their practice of shaking during religious services.
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- (initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a style of something produced by Shakers and characterized by simplicity of form, lack of ornamentation, fine craftsmanship, and functionality.
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Origin of shaker
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
gripfistpalmrelinquishrevealowndumpunloadshakeconfideclearrelievedivulgeeaseconfessdisburdendisencumberlosedischargediscloseExamples from the Web for shaker
Contemporary Examples
Obgu did a full-length study of this in Shaker Heights, Ohio, where the problem is unmistakable, and heartbreaking.
Pour into a shaker and transfer back and forth between shaker and cup several times.
Chill about six ounces of vodka in a shaker with ice, then strain into a martini glass.
In a shaker filled with ice, add the red pepper vodka, chocolate liqueur, Sriracha hot sauce, grenadine, and chocolate syrup.
There was always a shaker of martinis and an assortment of hopeful dogs clustered around the dish of nuts.
Historical Examples
"Fanny Flynn struck me, and pulled my 'shaker' over my face," replied Kate.
Proud and LazyOliver Optic
Do you get your shaker, and march home as quick as ever you can!
Little PrudySophie May
The first Shaker settlement was at Watervliet, not far from Troy.
The Greatest Highway in the WorldAnonymous
Oh, he's pleased; he's rather too pleased for a Shaker, it strikes me.
The Way to PeaceMargaret Deland
Beating is better than shaking, both for the rug and for the shaker.
The Library of Work and Play: HousekeepingElizabeth Hale Gilman
shaker
- a person or thing that shakes
- a container, often having a perforated top, from which something, such as a condiment, is shaken
- a container in which the ingredients of alcoholic drinks are shaken together
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for shaker
n.
mid-15c., "one who or which shakes," agent noun from shake (v.). Applied from 1640s (with capital initial) to various Christian sects whose devotional exercises often involved convulsions. The best-known, the American-based "Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing;" so called from 1784; the adjective with reference to furniture styles associated with these Shakers is recorded from 1866. Meaning "container for mixing cocktails, etc." is recorded from 1868. Phrase movers and shakers is attested from 1874.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with shaker
shaker
see mover and shaker.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.