Definition of "aftershock" []

• A quake of lesser magnitude, usually one of a series, following a large earthquake in the same area. (noun)
• A further reaction following the shock of a deeply disturbing occurrence or revelation: "The industry continued to reel from aftershocks of a disastrous [year]” ( David Lake). (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck Virginia on Tuesday gives new meaning to the word "aftershock.""
• "While the city has been plagued by aftershocks since a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck on Sept. 4, today's aftershock is the second-largest to rock the region and has left the city's residents again reeling."
• "The word aftershock makes it kind of seem insignificant."