1. (v. i.) To divide; to distribute.

2. (v. i.) To make a change or changes; to change position; to move; to veer; to substitute one thing for another; -- used in the various senses of the transitive verb.

3. (v. i.) To resort to expedients for accomplishing a purpose; to contrive; to manage.

4. (v. i.) To practice indirect or evasive methods.

5. (v. i.) To slip to one side of a ship, so as to destroy the equilibrium; -- said of ballast or cargo; as, the cargo shifted.