shifting adjective. ['ʃɪftɪŋ] L15.
[formed as SHIFTING noun + -ING².]
1. That shifts or changes position or direction; changeable in character. L15.
shifting agriculture = shifting cultivation below. shifting centre = METACENTRE. shifting cultivation any of several forms of agriculture in which an area of ground is cleared of vegetation and cultivated for a (usu. small) number of years and then abandoned for a new area. shifting keyboard a type of piano etc. keyboard moved by the soft pedal. shifting pedal the soft pedal of a piano etc. shifting spanner an adjustable spanner.
■ Sir W. Scott A whole parish was swallowed up by the shifting sands.
■ W. McIlvanney His sons were supposed to grow up decent among the shifting values that surrounded them.

2. That uses shifts, tricks, or subterfuge; cunning; dishonest; shifty. L16.

■ shiftingly adverb L16.

■ shiftingness noun M19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

shifting noun. ['ʃɪftɪŋ] ME.
[from SHIFT verb + -ING¹.]
1. A division of the Jewish priesthood. Only in ME.

2. The action of SHIFT verb; an instance of this, a shift; (a) movement, (a) change; a trick, a device. LME.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲