shaft

The definition of a shaft is a long, narrow handle or a long narrow part of something, a sudden bolt of light or a sudden flash of some feeling.

(noun)

  1. The long narrow handle of a golf club is an example of a shaft.
  2. A long narrow mine shaft or a vertical elevator shaft are both examples of a shaft.
  3. A sudden bolt of lightening is an example of a shaft of lightening.
  4. A sudden flash of happiness is an example of a shaft of happiness.

To shaft is to treat someone harshly or unfairly.

(verb)

When you stiff someone on pay you owe him, this is an example of a time when you shaft him.

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See shaft in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

    1. the long stem or body of an arrow or spear
    2. an arrow or spear
  1. a missile or something that seems to be hurled like a missile; bolt: shafts of lightning, derision, etc.
  2. a cone or column of light; ray; beam
  3. a long, slender part or object; specif.,
    1. Rare the trunk of a tree or stem of a plant
    2. the stem or rib of a feather
    3. the midsection of a long bone
    4. the supporting stem of a branched candlestick
    5. a column or obelisk; also, the main, usually cylindrical, part between the ends of a column or pillar; verge
    6. a flagpole
    7. a tall, slender building or part of a building; spire
    8. a handle, as on some tools or implements
    9. either of the two poles between which an animal is harnessed to a vehicle; thill
    10. a bar, usually cylindrical, for supporting or transmitting motion to a wheel, pulley, gear, cam, etc.: the drive shaft of an engine
  4. a long, narrow, vertical or slanting passage sunk into the earth: a mine shaft
  5. a vertical opening passing through the floors of a building, as for an elevator
  6. a conduit for air, as used in heating and ventilating

Origin: ME schaft < OE sceaft, akin to Ger schaft < IE base *(s)kap-, to cut with a sharp tool > shave, Gr skapos, rod, L scapus, shaft, stalk

transitive verb

Slang to cheat, trick, exploit, etc.

See shaft in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  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.
transitive verb 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).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English sceaft

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