Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context transitive English) To agitate a piece of cloth or other flexible material in order to remove dust, or to try to make it smooth and flat. 2 (context nautical transitive English) To unfurl a reef from a sail
Usage examples of "shake out".
He was, most of the time, holding his head with both hands, at moments gravely slapping the crown of it as if to shake out the facts.
Travis, Jil-Lee, and Buck, armed with the star guns, would spearhead that attackcutting into the substance of the ship itself until it was a sieve through which they could shake out the enemy.
Travis, Jil-Lee, and Buck, armed with the star guns, would spearhead that attack-cutting into the substance of the ship itself until it was a sieve through which they could shake out the enemy.
Wexler to shake out my suit when he hung it up, and he very kindly obliged me.
When he turned his head quickly his hair seemed to shake out light, and some persons thought they saw decided genius in this coruscation.
This initial run should shake out the glitches that had escaped the gruelling routines to which she subjected each part of a new ship.
Hazen took his time to open the pack, shake out a butt, and slide it into his mouth.
Around him, folk began to shake out of their stupor, those who had not been knocked unconscious by debris or falling trees.