n.

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

v.

1. make a shift in or exchange of;
   switch, change over
   
   • First Joe led; then we switched
2. change place or direction;
   dislodge, reposition
   
   • Shift one's position
3. move around;
   transfer
   
   • transfer the packet from his trouser pockets to a pocket in his jacket
4. move very slightly;
   stir, budge, agitate
   
   • He shifted in his seat
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;
   careen, wobble, tilt
   
   • The ship careened out of control
9. move abruptly;
   lurch, pitch
   
   • The ship suddenly lurched to the left
10. use a shift key on a keyboard
    
    • She could not shift so all her 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, change
    
    • switch to a different brand of beer
    • She switched psychiatrists
    • The car changed lanes