shakedown

Pronunciation: /ˈʃeɪkdaʊn/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun initial adjustments to improve the functioning or the efficiency and to bring to a more satisfactory state
  2. noun a very thorough search of a person or a place
  3. noun extortion of money (as by blackmail)

Etymology

Deverbal from shake down. An improvised bed would originally have been made by shaking down straw.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
adjustment

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