I. ˈshaft noun
( plural shafts ˈshaf(t)s, for 1b usually ˈshavz)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sceaft; akin to Old High German scaft shaft, Latin scapus shaft, stalk, Greek skēptesthai to prop oneself, lean
Date: before 12th century
1.
a.
(1) : the long handle of a spear or similar weapon
(2) : spear , lance
b. or plural shaves ˈshavz : pole ; specifically : either of two long pieces of wood between which a horse is hitched to a vehicle
c.
(1) : an arrow especially for a longbow
(2) : the body or stem of an arrow extending from the nock to the head
2. : a sharply delineated beam of light shining through an opening
3. : something suggestive of the shaft of a spear or arrow especially in long slender cylindrical form: as
a. : the trunk of a tree
b. : the cylindrical pillar between the capital and the base
c. : the handle of a tool or instrument (as a golf club)
d. : a commonly cylindrical bar used to support rotating pieces or to transmit power or motion by rotation
e. : the stem or central axis of a feather
f. : the upright member of a cross especially below the arms
g. : the cylindrical part of a long bone between the enlarged ends
h. : a small architectural column (as at each side of a doorway)
i. : a column, obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument
j. : a vertical or inclined opening of uniform and limited cross section made for finding or mining ore, raising water, or ventilating underground workings (as in a cave)
k. : the part of a hair that is visible above the surface of the skin
l. : a vertical opening or passage through the floors of a building
4.
a. : a projectile thrown like a spear or shot like an arrow
b. : a scornful, satirical, or pithily critical remark or attack
c. : harsh or unfair treatment — usually used with the
gave them the shaft
II. transitive verb
Date: 1611
1. : to fit with a shaft
2. : to treat unfairly or harshly