Shift.
1. (Break-joint.) A mode of arranging the tiers of plates, bricks, timbers, planking, etc., so that the joints of adjacent rows shall not coincide. In wooden ships, the shift is so arranged that in any given cross-section there are at least four strakes of plank to one butt. In brickwork the joint is alternate. See bond.
2. (Mining-engineering.) A fault or dislocation of a lead, seam, or stratum, accompanied by depression of one portion, destroying the continuity. A slip. 3. A turn of men; as a day-shift and a nightshift. A double shift or single shift indicates two sets or one set of men to a work. A three-turn shift consists of three relays, working eight hours each.