a belief that can guide behavior; "the architect has a theory that more is less"; "they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales"
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses"; "true in fact and theory"
the property of lacking physical or mental strength; liability to failure under pressure or stress or strain; "his weakness increased as he became older"; "the weakness of the span was overlooked until it collapsed"
a penchant for something even though it might not be good for you; "he has a weakness for chocolate"
the condition of being financially weak; "the weakness of the dollar against the yen"
the violent interaction of individuals or groups entering into combat; "the armies met in the shock of battle"
an unpleasant or disappointing surprise; "it came as a shock to learn that he was injured"
an instance of agitation of the earth's crust; "the first shock of the earthquake came shortly after noon while workers were at lunch"
a bushy thick mass (especially hair); "he had an unruly shock of black hair"
a pile of sheaves of grain set on end in a field to dry; stalks of Indian corn set up in a field; "corn is bound in small sheaves and several sheaves are set up together in shocks"; "whole fields of wheat in shock"
(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"
subject to electrical shocks
collect or gather into shocks; "shock grain"
collide violently
strike with horror or terror; "The news of the bombing shocked her"
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"