noun
shaft
SHAHFT
noun
1
A long, narrow, straight part of a tool, weapon, or machine — such as a handle, pole, or rotating rod that transmits power.
"The axe head had come loose from its wooden shaft."
"A worn bearing was causing the drive shaft to vibrate."
2
A vertical or sloped passage sunk into the ground, or a vertical passage in a building housing an elevator or ventilation.
"The miners were lowered into the shaft in a metal cage."
"Smoke poured up through the elevator shaft."
3
A narrow beam of light.
"A shaft of sunlight broke through the clouds."
verb
1
To treat someone unfairly or cheat them, often through deceit.
"He felt shafted when his business partner took all the credit."
How to Use Shaft
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long narrow part or passage — or, informally, to cheat someone.
When to use it
The "cheat someone" sense of shaft is informal and can also be used in coarser slang senses; use with care in formal writing.
Common pairings
drive shaft
mine shaft
shaft of light
get shafted
Word Forms
shafted past tense, shafts plural, shafts singular
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The axe head had come loose from its wooden _____.
Etymology
From Old English sceaft, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning a pole or spear-shaft.