shaft

1 a narrow sharply defined line of light radiating from an object <shafts of late-afternoon sunlight pierced the blinds and streaked the floor> Synonyms beam, ray Related Words moonbeam, sunbeam, sunburst; laser, spotlight

2 a weapon with a long straight handle and sharp head or blade <the footmen set their shafts so as to form a bank of steel against the enemy's charging cavalry> Synonyms javelin, lance, pike, pikestaff, spearRelated Words dart, spike; gaff, halberd (also halbert), harpoon, leister, trident

3 unfair or inadequate treatment of someone or something or an instance of this <the homeowners who were bought out are convinced they got the shaft in that deal> Synonyms inequity, injury, injustice, raw deal, disservice, unfairness, unjustness, wrongRelated Words affront, indignity, insult, offense (or offence), outrage, put-down, slight, slur; beef, complaint, grievanceNear Antonyms cricketAntonyms equitableness, equity, fairness, justice