Shakedown

['ʃeɪkdaʊn] or ['ʃekdaʊn]

Definition

(noun.) extortion of money (as by blackmail).

(noun.) a very thorough search of a person or a place; 'a shakedown by the police uncovered the drugs'.

(noun.) initial adjustments to improve the functioning or the efficiency and to bring to a more satisfactory state; 'the new industry's economic shakedown'.

(adj.) intended to test a new system under operating conditions and to familiarize the operators with the system; 'a shakedown cruise' .

Checker: Roy--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A temporary substitute for a bed, as one made on the floor or on chairs; -- perhaps originally from the shaking down of straw for this purpose.

Typist: Zamenhof