Shock definition

noun

(1) A reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body

"Subjects received a small electric shock when they made the wrong response"

"Electricians get accustomed to occasional shocks"

(2) The violent interaction of individuals or groups entering into combat

"The armies met in the shock of battle"

(3) A mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

"The old car needed a new set of shocks"

(4) An unpleasant or disappointing surprise

"It came as a shock to learn that he was injured"

(5) An instance of agitation of the earth's crust

"The first shock of the earthquake came shortly after noon while workers were at lunch"

(6) The feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

"His mother's death left him in a daze"

"He was numb with shock"

(7) A bushy thick mass (especially hair)

"He had an unruly shock of black hair"

(8) A pile of sheaves of grain set on end in a field to dry; stalks of Indian corn set up in a field

"Corn is bound in small sheaves and several sheaves are set up together in shocks"

"Whole fields of wheat in shock"

(9) (pathology) bodily collapse or near collapse caused by inadequate oxygen delivery to the cells; characterized by reduced cardiac output and rapid heartbeat and circulatory insufficiency and pallor

"Loss of blood is an important cause of shock"

verb

(10) Inflict a trauma upon

(11) Subject to electrical shocks

(12) Collect or gather into shocks

"Shock grain"

(13) Collide violently

(14) Strike with horror or terror

"The news of the bombing shocked her"

(15) Surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off

"I was floored when I heard that I was promoted"

(16) Strike with disgust or revulsion

"The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends"

noun

verb

Etymology

Noun