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1. Dictionary

   Shaft

   /SHaft/

   

   noun

   • 1. a long, narrow part or section forming the handle of a tool or club, the body of a spear or arrow, or a similar implement: "the shaft of a golf club" Similar polestickrodstaffshankuprighthandlehiltbuttstockstemhistorical:pikestaffthillrare:helvequilltechnical:rachis
   • ▪ an arrow or spear.
   • ▪ a column, especially the main part between the base and capital.
   • ▪ the part of a boot that covers the leg: "cowboy boots have a high shaft which almost reaches the top of the calf"
   • ▪ a long cylindrical rotating rod for the transmission of motive power in a machine.
   • ▪ each of the pair of poles between which a horse is harnessed to a vehicle: "the shafts of a horse-drawn wagon"
   • 2. a ray of light or bolt of lightning: "a shaft of sunlight" Similar raybeamgleamstreakpencilfingerbarliterary:lance
   • ▪ a sudden flash of a quality or feeling: "a shaft of inspiration"
   • ▪ a remark intended to be witty, wounding, or provoking: "he directs his shafts against her" Similar cutting remarkbarbgibetauntstinginformal:dig
   • 3. a long, narrow, typically vertical hole that gives access to a mine, accommodates an elevator in a building, or provides ventilation. Similar mineshafttunnelpassagepitaditdowncastupcastboreholeboreductair shaftwelllight wellflueventrare:winze
   • 4. a penis. vulgar slang
   • ▪ harsh or unfair treatment: informal North American "the executives continue to raise their pay while the workers get the shaft"

   verb

   • 1. (of light) shine in beams: "brilliant sunshine shafted through the skylight"
   • 2. (of a man) have sex with. vulgar slang
   • ▪ treat (someone) harshly or unfairly: informal "I suppose she'll get a lawyer and I'll be shafted"

   Word Origin Old Englishscæft, sceaft ‘handle, pole’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch schaft, German Schaft, and perhaps also to scepter. Early senses of the verb (late Middle English) were ‘fit with a handle’ and ‘send out shafts of light’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. shafted adjective

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • S

     1

   • H

     4

   • A

     1

   • F

     4

   • T

     1

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › shaftShaft Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › shaft

   • Cached

   The meaning of SHAFT is the long handle of a spear or similar weapon. How to use shaft in a sentence.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSHAFT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   SHAFT definition: 1. a pole or rod that forms the handle of a tool or weapon: 2. a rod forming part of a machine…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › shaftSHAFT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › shaft

   • Cached

   a rotating or oscillating round, straight bar for transmitting motion and torque, usually supported on bearings and carrying gears, wheels, or the like, as a propeller shaft on a ship, or a drive shaft of an engine.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySHAFT | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   SHAFT meaning: 1. a pole or rod that forms the handle of a tool or weapon: 2. a rod forming part of a machine…. Learn more.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › shaftShaft - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › shaft

   The word shaft can describe all kinds of things that are long and thin, such a shaft of light or a spear or the handle of a golf club or the midsection of a long bone. A shaft can also be a long narrow tunnel, generally one that runs straight up and down, such as a mine shaft or an elevator shaft.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › shaftShaft - definition of shaft by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › shaft

   • Cached

   a rotating or oscillating rod that transmits motion and torque, as a ship's propeller shaft or the drive shaft of an automobile.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSHAFT definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   5 days ago · A shaft is a long thin piece of wood or metal that forms part of a spear, axe, golf club, or other object.