shaft Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
  2. noun an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
    gibe; shot; dig; barb; slam; jibe.
    • his parting shot was `drop dead'
    • she threw shafts of sarcasm
    • she takes a dig at me every chance she gets
  3. noun a long rod or pole (especially the handle of an implement or the body of a weapon like a spear or arrow)
  4. noun a column of light (as from a beacon)
    ray of light; irradiation; shaft of light; beam; beam of light; light beam; ray.
  5. noun the main (mid) section of a long bone
    diaphysis.
  6. noun obscene terms for penis
    prick; cock; tool; dick; putz; peter; pecker.
  7. noun a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
    lance; spear.
  8. noun a vertical passageway through a building (as for an elevator)
  9. noun (architecture) upright consisting of the vertical part of a column
    scape.
  10. noun a long vertical passage sunk into the earth, as for a mine or tunnel
  11. noun a revolving rod that transmits power or motion
    rotating shaft.
  12. noun the hollow spine of a feather
    calamus; quill.
  13. verb equip with a shaft
  14. verb defeat someone through trickery or deceit
    chouse; chicane; screw; cheat; jockey.

WordNet

Shaft noun
Etymology
OE. shaft, schaft, AS. sceaft; akin to D. schacht, OHG. scaft, G. schaft, Dan. & Sw. skaft handle, haft, Icel. skapt, and probably to L. scapus, Gr. , , a staff. Probably originally, a shaven or smoothed rod. Cf. Scape, Scepter, Shave.
Definitions
  1. The slender, smooth stem of an arrow; hence, an arrow.
    His sleep, his meat, his drink, is him bereft, That lean he wax, and dry as is a shaft. Chaucer.
    A shaft hath three principal parts, the stele [stale], the feathers, and the head. Ascham.
  2. The long handle of a spear or similar weapon; hence, the weapon itself; (Fig.) anything regarded as a shaft to be thrown or darted; as, shafts of light.
    And the thunder, Winged with red lightning and impetuous rage, Perhaps hath spent his shafts. Milton.
    Some kinds of literary pursuits . . . have been attacked with all the shafts of ridicule. V. Knox.
  3. That which resembles in some degree the stem or handle of an arrow or a spear; a long, slender part, especially when cylindrical. Specifically: (a) (Bot.) The trunk, stem, or stalk of a plant. (b) (Zoöl.) The stem or midrib of a feather. See Illust. of Feather. (c) The pole, or tongue, of a vehicle; also, a thill. (d) The part of a candlestick which supports its branches.
    Thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold . . . his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. Ex. xxv. 31.
    (e) The handle or helve of certain tools, instruments, etc., as a hammer, a whip, etc. (f) A pole, especially a Maypole. Obs. Stow. (g) (Arch.) The body of a column; the cylindrical pillar between the capital and base (see Illust. of Column). Also, the part of a chimney above the roof. Also, the spire of a steeple. Obs. or R. Gwilt. (h) A column, an obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument.
    Bid time and nature gently spare The shaft we raise to thee. Emerson.
    (i) (Weaving) A rod at the end of a heddle. (j) (Mach.) A solid or hollow cylinder or bar, having one or more journals on which it rests and revolves, and intended to carry one or more wheels or other revolving parts and to transmit power or motion; as, the shaft of a steam engine. See Illust. of Countershaft.
  4. (Zoöl.) A humming bird (Thaumastura cora) having two of the tail feathers next to the middle ones very long in the male; -- called also cora humming bird.
  5. Cf. G. schacht. (Mining) A well-like excavation in the earth, perpendicular or nearly so, made for reaching and raising ore, for raising water, etc.
  6. A long passage for the admission or outlet of air; an air shaft.
  7. The chamber of a blast furnace.

Webster 1913