GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Shrug , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shrugged ; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrugging .] [Probably akin to shrink, p. p. shrunk; cf. Dan. skrugge, skrukke, to stoop, dial. Sw. skrukka, skruga, to crouch.] To draw up or contract (the shoulders), especially by way of expressing doubt, indifference, dislike, dread, or the like.
   1913 Webster
   He shrugs his shoulders when you talk of securities.
   Addison.
   
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

2.       
   Shrug, v. i. To raise or draw up the shoulders, as in expressing doubt, indifference, dislike, dread, or the like.
   1913 Webster
   They grin, they shrug.
   They bow, they snarl, they snatch, they hug.
   Swift.
   
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

3.       
   shrug, n. A gesture consisting of drawing up the shoulders, -- a motion usually expressing doubt, indifference, or dislike; -- it is sometimes accompanied by a slight turning of the hands outward or upward. Such a gesture may be made, as in answering "who knows" to a question, suggesting utter ignorance of an answer and a disinclination to pursue the topic further.
   1913 Webster
   +PJC
   On Sept. 23, in a major speech in New York, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commision, Arthur Levitt asked the Big Board to spike the rule [Rule 390] in the interest of free and unfettered markets. . . . Mr. Grasso responded with a shrug, saying that he had no plans to kill the rule.
   Gretchen Morgenson (N. Y. Times Nov. 28, 1999 sect. 3 p. 1.
   
   PJC
   The Spaniards talk in dialogues
   Of heads and shoulders, nods and shrugs.
   Hudibras.
   
   1913 Webster