Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Shifting
Shift′ing
,Adj.
 1. 
Changing in place, position, or direction; varying; variable; fickle; 
as, 
. shifting 
winds; shifting 
opinions or principles2. 
Adapted or used for shifting anything. 
Shifting backstays 
(Naut.)
, temporary stays that have to be let go whenever the vessel tacks or jibes. 
– Shifting ballast
, ballast which may be moved from one side of a vessel to another as safety requires. 
– Shifting center
. See 
– Metacenter
. Shifting locomotive
. See 
 Switching engine
, under Switch
.Webster 1828 Edition
Shifting
SHIFT'ING
,ppr.
  Definition 2025
shifting
shifting
English
Noun
shifting (plural shiftings)
-  A shift or change; a shifting movement.
-  Charles Lamb
- I remember the last time I saw Macbeth played, the discrepancy I felt at the changes of garment which he varied, the shiftings and reshiftings, like a Romish priest at mass.
 
 -  1978, Jack Vance, The View from Chickweed's Window
- Then everyone moved at the same time — slight shiftings of the hands and feet, furtive easings of position.
 
 
 -  Charles Lamb
 
Derived terms
- gear-shifting
 
Verb
shifting
- present participle of shift