Main Entry:

¹shaft

Pronunciation:

\ˈshaft\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural shafts \ˈshaf(t)s, for 1b usually ˈshavz\

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English sceaft; akin to Old High German scaft shaft, Latin scapus shaft, stalk, Greek skēptesthai to prop oneself, lean

Date:

before 12th century

1 a (1): the long handle of a spear or similar weapon (2): spear, lance bor plural shaves \ˈshavz\ : pole ; specifically : either of two long pieces of wood between which a horse is hitched to a vehicle c (1): an arrow especially for a longbow (2): the body or stem of an arrow extending from the nock to the head2: a sharply delineated beam of light shining through an opening3: something suggestive of the shaft of a spear or arrow esp. in long slender cylindrical form: as a: the trunk of a tree b: the cylindrical pillar between the capital and the base c: the handle of a tool or instrument (as a golf club) d: a commonly cylindrical bar used to support rotating pieces or to transmit power or motion by rotation e: the stem or central axis of a feather f: the upright member of a cross especially below the arms g: the cylindrical part of a long bone between the enlarged ends h: a small architectural column (as at each side of a doorway) i: a column, obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument j: a vertical or inclined opening of uniform and limited cross section made for finding or mining ore, raising water, or ventilating underground workings (as in a cave) k: the part of a hair that is visible above the surface of the skin l: a vertical opening or passage through the floors of a building 4 a: a projectile thrown like a spear or shot like an arrow b: a scornful, satirical, or pithily critical remark or attack c: harsh or unfair treatment —usually used with the<gave them the shaft>