shaft
n
1 the long narrow pole that forms the body of a spear, arrow, etc.
2 something directed at a person in the manner of a missile
shafts of sarcasm
3 a ray, beam, or streak, esp. of light
4 a rod or pole forming the handle of a hammer, axe, golf club, etc.
5 a revolving rod that transmits motion or power: usually used of axial rotation
Compare →
rod →
9
6 one of the two wooden poles by which an animal is harnessed to a vehicle
a the middle part (diaphysis) of a long bone
b the main portion of any elongated structure or part
8 the middle part of a column or pier, between the base and the capital
9 a column, obelisk, etc., esp. one that forms a monument
10 (Architect) a column that supports a vaulting rib, sometimes one of a set
11 a vertical passageway through a building, as for a lift
12 a vertical passageway into a mine
13 (Ornithol) the central rib of a feather
14 an archaic or literary word for →
arrow
15 ♦
get the shaft (U.S. and Canadian)
slang to be tricked or cheated
vb
16 Slang to have sexual intercourse with (a woman)
17 Slang to trick or cheat (Old English sceaft; related to Old Norse skapt, German Schaft, Latin scapus shaft, Greek skeptron sceptre, Lettish skeps javelin)
air shaft
n a shaft for ventilation, esp. in a mine or tunnel
butt shaft
n a blunt-headed unbarbed arrow
drive shaft
n another name for →
propeller shaft
escape shaft
n a shaft in a mine through which miners can escape if the regular shaft is blocked
idler shaft
n a shaft carrying one or more gearwheels that idles between a driver shaft and a driven shaft, usually to reverse the direction of rotation or provide different spacing of gearwheels, esp. in a gearbox
propeller shaft
n the shaft that transmits power from the gearbox to the differential gear in a motor vehicle or from the engine to the propeller in a ship or aircraft
shaft feather
n (Archery) one of the two fletchings on an arrow
Compare →
cock feather