Verb

(en verb)

to confuse a quiet, constant state or a calm, continuous flow, in particular: thoughts, actions or liquids.

The noisy ventilation disturbed me during the exam.

The performance was disturbed twice by a ringing mobile phone.

A school of fish disturbed the water.

to divert, redirect, or alter by disturbing.

A mudslide disturbed the course of the river.

The trauma disturbed his mind.

* Milton

disturb his inmost counsels from their destined aim

to have a negative emotional impact; to cause emotional distress or confusion.

A disturbing film that tries to explore the mind of a serial killer.

His behaviour is very disturbing .

Verb

(ergative) To cause (something) to move rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly.

* {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=19 citation , passage=Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.}}

To move (one's head) from side to side, especially to indicate a negative.

To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting or vibrating motion.

* (William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)

Shake off the golden slumber of repose.

* (John Bunyan) (1628-1688)

I could scarcely shake him out of my company.

To disturb emotionally; to shock.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-20, volume=408, issue=8845, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= The attack of the MOOCs , passage=Since the launch early last year of […] two Silicon Valley start-ups offering free education through MOOCs, massive open online courses, the ivory towers of academia have been shaken to their foundations. University brands built in some cases over centuries have been forced to contemplate the possibility that information technology will rapidly make their existing business model obsolete.}}

To lose, evade, or get rid of (something).

To move from side to side.

*, chapter=23

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=The slightest effort made the patient cough. He would stand leaning on a stick and holding a hand to his side, and when the paroxysm had passed it left him shaking .}}

To shake hands.

To dance.

To give a tremulous tone to; to trill.