- 1(often in compounds) a long, narrow, usually vertical passage in a building or underground, used especially for an elevator or as a way of allowing air in or out an elevator shaft a mineshaft a ventilation shaft
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- 2the long, narrow part of an arrow, hammer, golf club, etc. The clubs are fitted with graphite shafts.
- 3(often in compounds) a metal bar that joins parts of a machine or an engine together, enabling power and movement to be passed from one part to another see camshaft, crankshaft
- 4[usually plural] either of the two poles at the front of a carriage or cart between which a horse is fastened in order to pull it
- 5shaft of light, sunlight, etc. (literary) a narrow strip of light A shaft of moonlight fell on the lake. (figurative) a shaft of inspiration
- 6shaft of pain, fear, etc. (literary) a sudden, strong feeling of pain, etc. that travels through your body Shafts of fear ran through her as she heard footsteps behind her.
- 7shaft of something (formal) a remark that is intended to upset or annoy someone a shaft of wit Idioms
to treat someone unfairly
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