What is the meaning of shift?

noun

• An event in which something is displaced without rotation.
  • synonyms: displacement
• A qualitative change.
  • synonyms: transformation, transmutation
• The time period during which you are at work.
  • synonyms: work shift, duty period
• The act of changing one thing or position for another.
  • usage: "his switch on abortion cost him the election"
  • synonyms: switch, switching
• The act of moving from one place to another.
  • usage: "his constant shifting disrupted the class"
  • synonyms: shifting
• Geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other. (
  • usage: "they built it right over a geological fault"; "he studied the faulting of the earth's crust"
  • synonyms: fault, faulting, geological fault, fracture, break
• A crew of workers who work for a specific period of time.
• The key on the typewriter keyboard that shifts from lower-case letters to upper-case letters.
  • synonyms: shift key
• A woman's sleeveless undergarment.
  • synonyms: chemise, shimmy, slip, teddy
• A loose-fitting dress hanging straight from the shoulders without a waist.
  • synonyms: chemise, sack

verb

• Make a shift in or exchange of.
  • usage: "First Joe led; then we switched"
  • synonyms: switch, change over
• Change place or direction.
  • usage: "Shift one's position"
  • synonyms: dislodge, reposition
• Move around.
  • usage: "transfer the packet from his trouser pockets to a pocket in his jacket"
  • synonyms: transfer
• Move very slightly.
  • usage: "He shifted in his seat"
  • synonyms: stir, budge, agitate
• Move from one setting or context to another.
  • usage: "shift the emphasis"; "shift one's attention"
• Change in quality.
  • usage: "His tone shifted"
• Move and exchange for another.
  • usage: "shift the date for our class reunion"
• Move sideways or in an unsteady way.
  • usage: "The ship careened out of control"
  • synonyms: careen, wobble, tilt
• Move abruptly.
  • usage: "The ship suddenly lurched to the left"
  • synonyms: lurch, pitch
• Use a shift key on a keyboard.
  • usage: "She could not shift so all her letters are written in lower case"
• Change phonetically as part of a systematic historical change.
  • usage: "Grimm showed how the consonants shifted"
• Change gears.
  • usage: "you have to shift when you go down a steep hill"
• Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another.
  • usage: "switch to a different brand of beer"; "She switched psychiatrists"; "The car changed lanes"
  • synonyms: switch, change