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Shaft: meaning, definitions and examples

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shaft

 

[ʃɑːft ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

mechanical

A long, narrow, typically vertical hole that gives access to a mine, accommodates a lift, or provides ventilation.

Synonyms

passage, tunnel, well.

Examples of usage

  • The miners descended the shaft to reach the coal seam below.
  • The elevator in the building runs through the central shaft.
Context #2 | Noun

weapon

A long, narrow part or structure that is designed to be thrown, as a spear or arrow.

Synonyms

arrow, dart, spear.

Examples of usage

  • He hurled the shaft towards the target.
  • The ancient warriors used wooden shafts for hunting.
Context #3 | Noun

car part

The rotating rod or axle that a wheel revolves around.

Synonyms

axle, rotor, spindle.

Examples of usage

  • The mechanic replaced the damaged shaft in the car.
  • The shaft of the vehicle was causing the vibration.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word stems from Old English 'sceaft', meaning a long, narrow object, especially a pole or arrow shaft.
  • It has connections to Middle Dutch 'shaft', reflecting similar meanings in other Germanic languages.

Science

  • In physics, shafts are often used as components in machinery, transmitting power or motion.
  • Shafts play a crucial role in wind turbine design, helping convert wind energy into electrical energy effectively.

Architecture

  • In architecture, vertical shafts can be found in tall buildings, used for elevators or ventilation systems.
  • Boreholes, or deep shafts into the ground, are essential for mining and geological research.

Pop Culture

  • The term 'shaft' is widely recognized due to the famous 1971 movie 'Shaft', which introduced an iconic detective character into American cinema.
  • In video games, 'shaft' can refer to the pathways or tunnels that players navigate, often filled with challenges.

Literature

  • Shakespeare used the term in 'Hamlet', referencing the physical and metaphorical aspects of shafts and poles.
  • In various fantasy novels, 'shaft' appears in contexts referring to arrows, as in archery and combat.

Translations

Translations of the word "shaft" in other languages:

🇵🇹 eixo

🇮🇳 शाफ़्ट

🇩🇪 Welle

🇮🇩 poros

🇺🇦 вал

🇵🇱 wał

🇯🇵 シャフト (shafuto)

🇫🇷 arbre

🇪🇸 eje

🇹🇷 şaft

🇰🇷 축 (chuk)

🇸🇦 عمود

🇨🇿 hřídel

🇸🇰 hriadeľ

🇨🇳 轴 (zhóu)

🇸🇮 gred

🇮🇸 ás

🇰🇿 білік

🇬🇪 ღერძი (γerdzi)

🇦🇿 şaft

🇲🇽 eje

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,850, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.