Shafted

shaft  (shft)

n.

1.

a. The long narrow stem or body of a spear or arrow.

b. A spear or arrow.

2.

a. A projectile suggestive of a spear or arrow in appearance or configuration.

b. Informal A scornfully satirical comment; a barb.

c. Slang Harsh, unfair treatment. Often used with the: The president of the airline really gave the unions the shaft.

3. A ray or beam of light.

4. A long thin object or part, as:

a. The handle of any of various tools or implements.

b. One of two parallel poles between which an animal is harnessed to a vehicle.

c. A long, generally cylindrical bar that rotates and transmits power, as the drive shaft of an engine.

5. Zoology The main axis of a feather, especially its distal portion.

6. Anatomy

a. The midsection of a long bone; the diaphysis.

b. The section of a hair projecting from the surface of the body.

7. Architecture

a. A column or obelisk.

b. The principal portion of a column, between the capital and the base.

8. A long, narrow, often vertical passage sunk into the earth, as for mining ore; a tunnel.

9. A vertical passage housing an elevator.

10. A duct or conduit for the passage of air, as for ventilation or heating.

tr.v. shaft·ed, shaft·ing, shafts

1. To equip with a shaft.

2. Slang To treat in a harsh, unfair way: "He had been shafted by the press quite a bit" (Frank Deford).

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[Middle English, from Old English sceaft.]