6. (Mus.) A change of the position of the hand on the finger board, in
playing the violin.
To make shift, to contrive or manage in an exigency. "I shall make
shift to go without him." Shak.
[They] made a shift to keep their own in Ireland.
Milton.
Shift"a*ble (?), a. Admitting of being shifted.
Shift"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, shifts; one who plays
tricks or practices artifice; a cozener.
'T was such a shifter that, if truth were known, Death was half
glad when he had got him down.
Milton.
2. (Naut.) An assistant to the ship's cook in washing, steeping, and
shifting the salt provisions.
3. (Mach.) (a) An arrangement for shifting a belt sidewise from one
pulley to another. (b) (Knitting Mach.) A wire for changing a loop from
one needle to another, as in narrowing, etc.
Shift"i*ness, n. The quality or state of being shifty.
Diplomatic shiftiness and political versatility.
J. A. Syminds.
Shift"ing, a. 1. Changing in place, position, or direction; varying;
variable; fickle; as, shifting winds; shifting opinions or principles.