Shrug
[ʃrʌg] or [ʃrʌɡ]
Definition
(noun.) a gesture involving the shoulders.
(verb.) raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation.
Edited by ELLA--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To draw up or contract (the shoulders), especially by way of expressing dislike, dread, doubt, or the like.
(v. i.) To raise or draw up the shoulders, as in expressing dislike, dread, doubt, or the like.
(n.) A drawing up of the shoulders, -- a motion usually expressing dislike, dread, or doubt.
Checked by Chiquita
Definition
v.t. to draw up: to contract.—v.i. to draw up the shoulders expressive of doubt surprise indifference &c.:—pr.p. shrug′ging; pa.t. and pa.p. shrugged.—n. an expressive drawing up of the shoulders.
Inputed by Frances
Examples
- He gave a reckless shrug. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- So-so,' replied Miss Wren, with a shrug and a laugh. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- It's not my affair, said he, with a final shrug of the shoulders. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- The rejoinder to this was the first shrug. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- He means well: but you shrug your shoulders to hear him talk? Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- It's a happy thing to be satisfied, said Mr. Shelby, with a slight shrug, and some perceptible feelings of a disagreeable nature. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Only answering with a shrug, the man filled the footless glass, and Riderhood emptied it: looking amazedly from his daughter to his visitor. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Such aid is not always effectual, said Justinian significantly, whereat the Greek shrugged his shoulders, but made no reply. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Crispin shrugged his shoulders with a smile. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- The person of the house shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The attorney shrugged his shoulders. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- He laughed, I remember, and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying anything to a woman, for she would have her way. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- Birkin shrugged his shoulders. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- To the silence of the preceding moment, now succeeded murmurs of discontent, and agitations, and whispers and shrugs. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- The officers looked towards the soldiers who looked at the fire; gave no orders; and answered, with shrugs and biting of lips, It must burn. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- It may be so, answered Holmes, shrugging his shoulders. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- Well, for my part, said the Count, shrugging his shoulders, I think your new music is horrible. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- I mean, returns Mr. Guppy, shrugging his shoulders with becoming modesty, that I can't make him out. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I suppose He won't mind,' she added as an afterthought, shrugging her shoulders; 'and if he does, he may! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Upon my life, said Mr. Skimpole, shrugging his shoulders with his engaging smile, I have not the least idea what he is to do then. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Holmes stopped over them for an instant, and then rose shrugging his shoulders. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- Only think,' said Fagin, shrugging his shoulders, and stretching out his hands; 'only consider. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
Typed by Ewing