shaft

(shăft)

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.

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).