Defn: The quality or state of being shifty.
Diplomatic shiftiness and political versatility. J. A. Syminds.
SHIFTING
Shift"ing, a.
1. Changing in place, position, or direction; varying; variable; fickle; as, shifting winds; shifting opinions or principles.
2. 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.
SHIFTINGLY
Shift"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In a shifting manner.
SHIFTLESS
Shift"less, a.
Defn: Destitute of expedients, or not using successful expedients; characterized by failure, especially by failure to provide for one's own support, through negligence or incapacity; hence, lazy; improvident; thriftless; as, a shiftless fellow; shiftless management. — Shift"less*ly, adv. — Shift"less*ness, n.
SHIFTY
Shift"y, a.
Defn: Full of, or ready with, shifts; fertile in expedients or
contrivance. Wright.
Shifty and thrifty as old Greek or modern Scot, there were few things
he could not invent, and perhaps nothing he could not endure. C.
Kingsley.