Link Centre Dictionary

shakedown

sha·ke·down

US/ˈʃeɪkdaʊn/ uncommon slang
adjective (1) noun (3)

adjective

1.

intended to test a new system under operating conditions and to familiarize the operators with the system

  • “a shakedown cruise”

noun

1.

initial adjustments to improve the functioning or the efficiency and to bring to a more satisfactory state

  • “the new industry”
2.

a very thorough search of a person or a place

  • “a shakedown by the police uncovered the drugs”
3.

Origin

Deverbal from shake down. An improvised bed would originally have been made by shaking down straw.

Related words

Broader terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.