shaft

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 (often in compounds) a long, narrow, usually vertical passage in a building or underground, used especially for a lift/elevator or as a way of allowing air in or out: a lift / elevator shaft * a mineshaft * a ventilation shaft 2 the long narrow part of an arrow, hammer, GOLFCLUB, 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: a gear / propeller shaft seealsoCAMSHAFT, CRANKSHAFT 4 [usuallypl.] either of the two poles at the front of a carriage or CART between which a horse is fastened in order to pull it 5 ~ of light, sunlight, etc. (literary) a narrow beam of light: A shaft of moonlight fell on the lake. * (figurative) a shaft of inspiration 6 ~ 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. 7 ~ of sth (formal) a clever remark that is intended to upset or annoy sb: a shaft of wit / criticism IDIOMS give sb the shaft (AmE, informal) to treat sb unfairly verb [VN] (informal) to treat sb unfairly or cheat them