shaft meaning and definition

SHAFT noun

Definition of shaft (noun)

1. a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
2. an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
   • "his parting shot was `drop dead'"; "she threw shafts of sarcasm"; "she takes a dig at me every chance she gets"
   • synonyms: barb, dig, gibe, jibe, shot, slam
3. a long rod or pole (especially the handle of an implement or the body of a weapon like a spear or arrow)
4. a column of light (as from a beacon)
   • synonyms: beam, beam of light, irradiation, light beam, ray, ray of light, shaft of light
5. the main (mid) section of a long bone
   • synonyms: diaphysis
6. obscene terms for penis
   • synonyms: cock, dick, pecker, peter, prick, putz, tool
7. a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
   • synonyms: lance, spear
8. a vertical passageway through a building (as for an elevator)
9. (architecture) upright consisting of the vertical part of a column
   • synonyms: scape
10. a long vertical passage sunk into the earth, as for a mine or tunnel
11. a revolving rod that transmits power or motion
    • synonyms: rotating shaft
12. the hollow spine of a feather
    • synonyms: calamus, quill

SHAFT verb

Definition of shaft (verb)

1. equip with a shaft
2. defeat someone through trickery or deceit
   • synonyms: cheat, chicane, chouse, jockey, screw