shaft (sh ft)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). [Middle English, from Old English sceaft.] |
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