shake / shake apart

[vil]

Dear teachers,

This morning I read in NYT the article "New Rocket Has Problem With Vibration". There are the verb "shake" and the phrase verb "shake apart". I know a great number of meanings concerning the former of both. I remembered even a verse of Shakespeare "The fear whereof doth make him shake and shudder."Unfortunately I missed to find the proper meaning of the latter of both. I understood the root of the matter thanks to context.

Would you be kind enough to tell me where may I find the proper meaning of he phrase verb "shake apart" (like "take apart" = dismantle or disassemble etc)? For example I know that shake apart = demoralize, blow out, disturb, embarrass, upset, disorganize, muddle etc.

Engineers are concerned that a new rocket, the Ares I, which will replace the space shuttle and send astronauts on their way to the moon, could shake violently during the first minutes of flight.
......

If not corrected, the shaking, which arises from the powerful first stage of the rocket, could shake apart the whole structure,” said Paul Fischbeck, an engineering professor at Carnegy Mellon University

Regards.

V.

 

[Horsa]

In the context given 'shake apart' is similar in meaning to 'break up'. So here it means that the shaking will be violent enough to cause the rocket to break up.

 

[vil]

Hi Horsa,

Thank you for your explanation.

I see. I liked your choice. It give a true rendering of the arising problem.

Thank you again for your support.

Regards.

V.