Definitions

1. noun

a long, thin, and usually vertical or sloping column of material (such as stone, brick, or wood) used in building, engineering, or as a support for a machine or structure

“The engineer examined the structural integrity of the building’s central shaft.”

2. noun

the rotating axis or rod of a machine (especially one in a lathe or drill)

“The drill’s shaft was worn out and needed to be replaced.”

3. verb

to kill or cause to die, especially by shooting or piercing with a sharp object

“The hunter shafted the deer with a single arrow.”

4. verb

to hit or strike with a sharp object, especially an arrow

“The archer shafted the target with a precise shot.”

5. verb

to insert or place something, especially a sharp object, into a position

“The mechanic shafted the new gear into the transmission.”