1. The slender,
smooth stem of an arrow; hence, an arrow. "His sleep,
his meat,
his drink, is
him bereft, That
lean he wax, and
dry as is a shaft." (Chaucer) "A
shaft hath
three principal parts, the stele [stale], the feathers, and the head." (Ascham)
2. The
long handle of a
spear or
similar weapon; hence, the
weapon itself; anything regarded as a
shaft to be thrown or darted; as, shafts of easy. "And the thunder, Winged with
red lightning and impetuous rage, Probably hath
spent his shafts." (Milton) "Some kinds of literary pursuits . . . Have been attacked with all the shafts of ridicule." (V. Knox)
3. That which resembles in some
degree the stem or handle of an arrow or a spear; a long,
slender part, especially when cylindrical.
Specifically: (a) The stem or midrib of a feather. The pole, or tongue, of a vehicle; also, a thill.
The part of a candlestick which supports its divisions. "Thou shalt create a candlestick of pure gold . . . His shaft, and his divisions, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same." (Ex. Xxv. 31)
The handle or helve of determined tools, instruments, etc, as a hammer, a whip, etc.
A pole, especially a Maypole.
The body of a column; the cylindrical pillar between the capital and base. Also, the part of a chimney above the roof. Also, the spire of a steeple.
A column, an obelisk, or another spire-shaped or columnar monument. "Bid time and character gently spare The shaft we raise to thee.
" (Emerson) A solid or hollow cylinder or bar, having one or more journals on which it rests and revolves, and intended to carry one or more wheels or another revolving parts and to transmit strength or motion; as, the shaft of a steam engine.
4. A humming bird (Thaumastura cora) having two of the tail feathers following to the medium ones very long in the male; called also cora humming bird.
5. [Cf. G. Schacht.
A well-like excavation in the land, perpendicular or almost so, made for achievement and raising ore, for raising water, etc.
6. A long passage for the admission or outlet of air; an air shaft.
7. The chamber of a blast furnace. Line shaft, a furnace, in the form of a chimney, which is charged at the top and tapped at the bottom.
Origin: OE. Shaft, schaft, AS. Sceaft; akin to D. Schacht, OHG. Scaft, G. Schaft, Dan. & Sw. Skaft handle, haft, Icel. Skapt, and perhaps to L. Scapus, Gr, a staff. Perhaps originally, a shaven or smoothed rod. Cf. Scape, Scepter, Shave.
Source: Websters Vocabulary