(shaft, shäft) noun
1. The long narrow rod of an arrow, spear, lance, harpoon, etc.
2. An arrow.
3. Anything resembling a missile in appearance or effect: shafts of ridicule.
4. A beam or streak of light.
5. A long handle, as of a hammer, ax, etc.
6. Mech. A long and usually cylindrical bar, especially if rotating and transmitting motive power.
7. Archit. a The portion of a column between capital and base, b A slender column.
8. An obelisk or memorial column.
9. The vertical part of a cross.
10. The stem of a feather.
11. Anat. a A long slender portion, as the diaphysis of a bone. b The portion of a hair from the root to the end.
12. On a loom, one of the long laths at the ends of the heddles.
13. A thill.
14. Slang Malicious or abusive treatment: with the, especially in the phrases to get the shaft, to give (someone) the shaft.
—v.t. Slang To act maliciously or abusively toward. [OE sceaft]

(shaft, shäft) noun
1. A narrow, vertical or inclined, excavation connected with a mine; also, a passage for light or air.
2. The tunnel of a blast furnace.
3. An opening through the floors of a building, as for an elevator. [<LG schacht rod, shaft; infl. by SHAFT¹]