26984 words

shafts

13 definitions • 17 examples
1
a pole or rod that forms the handle of a tool or weapon:

Examples:

shaft of His fingers tightened around the shaft of the golf club.
2
a rod forming part of a machine such as an engine, that turns in order to pass power on to the machine:

Examples:

the drive shaft of a car
3
the part of the hair above the scalp
4
a long structure like a stem in the body
5
a beam of light:

Examples:

A shaft of (sun)light came through the open door.
6
a long, either vertical or sloping, passage through a building or through the ground:

Examples:

7
a clever remark, especially one that is intended as an attack on someone or something:

Examples:

shaft of John came out with an unexpected shaft of wit/wisdom.
8

Examples:

give someone the shaft His boss gave him the shaft by firing him just before he would have gotten a bonus.
9
to cheat or trick someone, or to treat someone unfairly:

Examples:

She was shafted by her agent over the film rights to her book.
10
a long pole or rod:

Examples:

Energy from the wheels turns the shafts and produces electricity.
The feathers at the end of the arrow’s shaft help it travel in a straight line.
Sliced beef was curled around a scallion shaft, then fried.
11
A shaft of light is a single beam.
12
a long vertical or sloping passage through a building or through the ground:

Examples:

a mine shaft
The window looks out on an air shaft.
13
bad or unfair treatment:

Examples:

Corporations pay almost nothing while taxpayers get the shaft.

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