- shock
- [[t]ʃɒ̱k[/t]]
♦♦shocks, shocking, shocked1) N-COUNT If you have a shock, something suddenly happens which is unpleasant, upsetting, or very surprising.
The extent of the violence came as a shock...
He has never recovered from the shock of your brother's death...
It was quite a shock to see my face on that screen!
2) N-UNCOUNT Shock is a person's emotional and physical condition when something very frightening or upsetting has happened to them.The little boy was speechless with shock...
She's still in a state of shock.
3) N-UNCOUNT: oft in N If someone is in shock, they are suffering from a serious physical condition in which their blood is not flowing round their body properly, for example because they have had a bad injury.He was found beaten and in shock...
They escaped the blaze but were rushed to hospital suffering from shock.
4) VERB If something shocks you, it makes you feel very upset, because it involves death or suffering and because you had not expected it.[V n] After forty years in the police force nothing much shocks me...
[V n] Relief workers were shocked by what they saw.
Derived words:shocked ADJ-GRADEDThis was a nasty attack and the woman is still very shocked.
5) VERB If someone or something shocks you, it upsets or offends you because you think it is rude or morally wrong.[V n] You can't shock me...
[V-ed] They were easily shocked in those days...
We were always trying to be creative and to shock.
Derived words:shocked ADJ-GRADEDDon't look so shocked.
6) ADJ: ADJ n A shock announcement or event is one which shocks people because it is unexpected. [JOURNALISM]...the shock announcement that she is to resign.
...a shock defeat.
7) N-COUNT: usu with supp A shock is something sudden and unexpected that threatens the economy, traditions, or way of life of a group of people. [JOURNALISM]This is the latest in a series of shocks to the Scandinavian banking system.
...the economic pain of two oil shocks.
8) N-VAR A shock is the force of something suddenly hitting or pulling something else.Steel barriers can bend and absorb the shock.
9) N-COUNT A shock is the same as an electric shock.10) N-COUNT A shock is a shock absorber. [AM]Do you think I need new shocks?
11) N-COUNT: N of n A shock of hair is a very thick mass of hair on a person's head. [WRITTEN]...a very old priest with a shock of white hair.
12) → See also , culture shock, , shell shock13) PHRASE: N inflects A short, sharp shock is a punishment that is fairly harsh and severe but only lasts for a short time. [BRIT]
English dictionary. 2008.
