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shaft

The noun shaft refers to something that resembles a long, thin pole, such as the long part of an arrow between the tip and the feathers.

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. You might think these items don’t have much in common, but think about their shape: they’re all long, straight, and thin.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: shaft

1
 nv
a long rod or pole (especially the handle of an implement or the body of a weapon like a spear or arrow)
equip with a shaft
2
 n
a long vertical passage sunk into the earth, as for a mine or tunnel
3
 nv
an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
defeat someone through trickery or deceit
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: shaft
1

n a long rod or pole (especially the handle of an implement or the body of a weapon like a spear or arrow)

Types:
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axle
a shaft on which a wheel rotates
thill
one of two shafts extending from the body of a cart or carriage on either side of the animal that pulls it
dead axle
an axle that carries a wheel but without power to drive it
journal
the part of the axle contained by a bearing
driving axle, live axle
the axle of a self-propelled vehicle that provides the driving power
Type of:
rod
a long thin implement made of metal or wood

n a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

Synonyms:
lance, spear
Types:
assagai, assegai
the slender spear of the Bantu-speaking people of Africa
javelin
a spear thrown as a weapon or in competitive field events
trident
a spear with three prongs
Type of:
arm, weapon, weapon system
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

n a revolving rod that transmits power or motion

Synonyms:
rotating shaft
Types:
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camshaft
has cams attached to it
crankshaft
a rotating shaft driven by (or driving) a crank
driveshaft
a rotating shaft that transmits power from the engine to the point of application
arbor, mandrel, mandril, spindle
any of various rotating shafts that serve as axes for larger rotating parts
transmission shaft
rotating shaft that transmits rotary motion from the engine to the differential
Type of:
rod
a long thin implement made of metal or wood

n the main (mid) section of a long bone

Synonyms:
diaphysis
Type of:
long bone, os longum
in limbs of vertebrate animals: a long cylindrical bone that contains marrow

n the hollow spine of a feather

Synonyms:
calamus, quill
Type of:
rib
a riblike supporting or strengthening part of an animal or plant

n obscene terms for penis

Synonyms:
cock, dick, pecker, peter, prick, putz, tool
Type of:
member, penis, phallus
the male organ of copulation (`member' is a euphemism)

n (architecture) upright consisting of the vertical part of a column

Synonyms:
scape
Type of:
upright, vertical
a vertical structural member as a post or stake

n a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer

Type of:
line
a mark that is long relative to its width

v equip with a shaft

Type of:
equip, fit, fit out, outfit
provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose
2

n a long vertical passage sunk into the earth, as for a mine or tunnel

Types:
air shaft, air well
a shaft for ventilation
downcast
a ventilation shaft through which air enters a mine
Type of:
passage
a way through or along which someone or something may pass

n a vertical passageway through a building (as for an elevator)

Types:
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elevator shaft
a vertical shaft in a building to permit the passage of an elevator from floor to floor
ventilation shaft
a shaft in a building; serves as an air passage for ventilation
well
an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)
stairwell
a vertical well around which there is a stairway
Type of:
passageway
a passage between rooms or between buildings

n a column of light (as from a beacon)

Synonyms:
beam, beam of light, irradiation, light beam, ray, ray of light, shaft of light
Types:
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heat ray
a ray that produces a thermal effect
high beam
the beam of a car's headlights that provides distant illumination
moon ray, moon-ray, moonbeam
a ray of moonlight
sunbeam, sunray
a ray of sunlight
laser beam
a beam of light generated by a laser
low beam
the beam of a car's headlights that provides illumination for a short distance
infrared ray
a ray of infrared radiation; produces a thermal effect (as from an infrared lamp)
Type of:
light, visible light, visible radiation
(physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
3

n an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect

“she threw shafts of sarcasm”
Synonyms:
barb, dig, gibe, jibe, shot, slam
Types:
cheap shot
an unnecessarily aggressive and unfair remark directed at a defenseless person
Type of:
comment, input, remark
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

v defeat someone through trickery or deceit

Synonyms:
cheat, chicane, chouse, jockey, screw
Type of:
beat, beat out, crush, shell, trounce, vanquish
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
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