shift
     n 1: an event in which something is displaced without rotation
          [syn: {displacement}]
     2: a qualitative change [syn: {transformation}, {transmutation}]
     3: the time period during which you are at work [syn: {work
        shift}, {duty period}]
     4: the act of changing one thing or position for another; "his
        switch on abortion cost him the election" [syn: {switch},
        {switching}]
     5: the act of moving from one place to another; "his constant
        shifting disrupted the class" [syn: {shifting}]
     6: (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" [syn: {fault}, {geological
        fault}, {fracture}, {break}]
     7: a group of workers who work for a specific period of time
     8: a woman's sleeveless undergarment [syn: {chemise}, {shimmy},
         {slip}, {teddies}, {teddy}]
     9: a loose-fitting dress hanging straight from the shoulders
        without a waist [syn: {chemise}, {sack}]
     v 1: make a shift in or exchange of; "First Joe led; then we
          switched" [syn: {switch}, {change over}]
     2: change place or direction; "Shift one's position" [syn: {dislodge},
         {reposition}]
     3: move around; "transfer the packet from his trouser pockets
        to a pocket in his jacket" [syn: {transfer}]
     4: move very slightly; "He shifted in his seat" [syn: {stir}, {budge},
         {agitate}]
     5: move from one setting or context to another; "shift the
        emphasis"; "shift one's attention"
     6: change in quality; "His tone shifted"
     7: move and exchange for another; "shift the date for our class
        reunion"
     8: move sideways or in an unsteady way; "The ship careened out
        of control" [syn: {careen}, {wobble}, {tilt}]
     9: move abruptly; "The ship suddenly lurched to the left" [syn:
         {lurch}, {pitch}]
     10: use a shift key on a keyboard; "She could not shift so all
         ther letters are written in lower case"
     11: change phonetically as part of a systematic historical
         change; "Grimm showed how the consonants shifted"
     12: change gears; "you have to shift when you go down a steep
         hill"
     13: lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; "switch to a
         different brand of beer"; "She switched psychiatrists";
         "The car changed lanes" [syn: {switch}, {change}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0