Dictionary definition · shock
noun
- the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally"his mother's death left him in a daze"
- the violent interaction of individuals or groups entering into combat"the armies met in the shock of battle"
- a reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body"subjects received a small electric shock when they made the wrong response"
- (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"
- an instance of agitation of the earth's crust"the first shock of the earthquake came shortly after noon while workers were at lunch"
- an unpleasant or disappointing surprise"it came as a shock to learn that he was injured"
verb
- surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off"I was floored when I heard that I was promoted"
- strike with disgust or revulsion"The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends"
- strike with horror or terror"The news of the bombing shocked her"
- collide violently
- collect or gather into shocks"shock grain"
- subject to electrical shocks
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).