Shaft
[ʃɑːft] or [ʃæft]
Definition
(noun.) a long rod or pole (especially the handle of an implement or the body of a weapon like a spear or arrow).
(noun.) a long vertical passage sunk into the earth, as for a mine or tunnel.
(noun.) (architecture) upright consisting of the vertical part of a column.
(noun.) a vertical passageway through a building (as for an elevator).
(noun.) a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer.
(verb.) equip with a shaft.
Editor: Theresa--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The slender, smooth stem of an arrow; hence, an arrow.
(n.) The long handle of a spear or similar weapon; hence, the weapon itself; (Fig.) anything regarded as a shaft to be thrown or darted; as, shafts of light.
(n.) That which resembles in some degree the stem or handle of an arrow or a spear; a long, slender part, especially when cylindrical.
(n.) The trunk, stem, or stalk of a plant.
(n.) The stem or midrib of a feather.
(n.) The pole, or tongue, of a vehicle; also, a thill.
(n.) The part of a candlestick which supports its branches.
(n.) The handle or helve of certain tools, instruments, etc., as a hammer, a whip, etc.
(n.) A pole, especially a Maypole.
(n.) The body of a column; the cylindrical pillar between the capital and base (see Illust. of Column). Also, the part of a chimney above the roof. Also, the spire of a steeple.
(n.) A column, an obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument.
(n.) A rod at the end of a heddle.
(n.) 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 other revolving parts and to transmit power or motion; as, the shaft of a steam engine.
(n.) A humming bird (Thaumastura cora) having two of the tail feathers next to the middle ones very long in the male; -- called also cora humming bird.
(n.) A well-like excavation in the earth, perpendicular or nearly so, made for reaching and raising ore, for raising water, etc.
(n.) A long passage for the admission or outlet of air; an air shaft.
(n.) The chamber of a blast furnace.
Typed by Jewel
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Arrow.[2]. Handle.[3]. Thill, pole.[4]. Trunk (of a column).[5]. Axis, spindle, arbor. Shagbark,n. Shellbark (Carya alba)."
Edited by Faye
Definition
n. a well-like excavation sunk into a mine for pumping hoisting &c.: the tunnel of a blast-furnace.
n. anything long and straight as the stem of an arrow &c.: a long arrow anything like an arrow in form or effect: the part of a column between the base and capital: the stem of a feather: the pole or thill of a carriage: the handle of a tool of any kind.—adj. Shaft′ed having a shaft or handle.—ns. Shaft′-horse the horse that is harnessed between the shafts of a carriage; Shaft′ing (mach.) the system of shafts connecting machinery with the prime mover.—Make a shaft or a bolt of it (Shak.) to take the risk and make the best of it—the shaft and the bolt being the arrows of the long-bow and the cross-bow respectively.
Typist: Millie
Examples
- The force of the water causes rotation of the turbine and of the shaft which is rigidly fastened to it. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- At the bottom of the penstock is placed a turbine wheel fixed on a shaft, and to which shaft is connected an electric generator or other power machine. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The motor was located in the front part of the locomotive, on its side, with the armature shaft across the frames, or parallel with the driving axles. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- I will notch his shaft for him, however, replied Locksley. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- The cutter was driven by a pitman from a crank shaft operated through gear wheels from the main drive wheels. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Then the boy stepped into the pilot house, touched a button and the boat sank amid swirling waters toward the bottom of the shaft. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- A rock shaft _s_ is worked by an eccentric rod _e_ from the paddle wheel shaft. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- When you had seen the pony backed into the shafts of the chaise, you had seen something there was no doubt about. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- On the ends of the shafts of the bottom and top rolls there were cylindrical sleeves, or bearings, having seven sheaves in which was run a half-inch endless wire rope. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- His arrow heads were of flint, beautifully made, and he lashed them tightly to their shafts. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- There was a big empty twowheeled cart, the shafts tipped high up in the rain. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- Even to-day enough remains of the galleries, shafts, sco ria, mine-lamps, and other utensils to give a clear idea of this scene of ancient industry. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Summer advanced, and, crowned with the sun's potent rays, plague shot her unerring shafts over the earth. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- The cranks of her propeller shafts, like those of the Kaiser Wilhelm and the Oceanic, are set according to the Schlick system, to reduce vibration. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- I twisted the shafting one way and the tube the other as far as I could, and pinned them together. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- It is useful for the making of chains, tools, carriage axles, joining shafting, wires, and pipes, mending bands, tires, hoops, and lengthening and shortening bolts, bars, etc. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The driving engine and shafting are compactly placed at one end or side of the room, with boilers and kettles conveniently adjacent. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The depth of water at which the Bucket Ladder dredges is regulated by the Hoisting Shears and Chain Barrel D D, driven by shafting E E from the Engines. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Finally I went down to Goerck Street and got a piece of shafting and a tube in which it fitted. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Motor-driven machines are the safest possible kind, while absence of overhead shafting and dangerous belts mean health as well as security. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The next resort of Edison was to belts, the armature shafting belted to a countershaft on the locomotive frame, and the countershaft belted to a pulley on the car-axle. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
Inputed by Gustav