shaft

Everyday

1. A shaft is a long, narrow hole that goes straight down or up, such as a mine shaft or a lift shaft. tree →
2. A shaft is the long, thin straight part of a tool, arrow, spear or golf club. tree →
3. A shaft of light is a narrow beam of light shining through a gap. tree →
4. In machines, a shaft is a rod that turns and passes on movement, like the shaft in a car. tree →
5. A shaft can also be one of the two long poles on a cart, between which a horse is harnessed. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, people fall down old mine shafts or a shaft of sunlight shines into a dark room. In science and technology lessons, a turning shaft carries power from a motor to wheels. Safety: never go near old mine shafts or open lift shafts.

Examples

• The miners went down the shaft in a metal cage. tree →
• A shaft of sunlight came through the gap in the curtains. tree →
• The arrow had a wooden shaft and a sharp tip. tree →
• The lift shaft runs from the basement to the top floor. tree →
• Keep away from old mine shafts; they can be very deep. tree →
• The motor turns a shaft that spins the wheels. tree →
• The handle of the hammer is called its shaft. tree →
• The golf club's shaft bent when he hit the tree. tree →
• So of course the townspeople, whenever they wanted a horse shod or a shaft mended, went to the mayor. tree →

Note

Countable noun: «a shaft, shafts». Shaft can mean a hole (empty) or a rod (solid), so read the sentence to know which. «A shaft of light» is a beam, not a hole. Lift (UK) and elevator (US) shafts are the same thing.

In Jewish tradition

In the Prophets and Writings a shaft is also the long wooden stick of a spear or an arrow. David's enemy Goliath had a spear shaft like a weaver's beam, and the psalms speak of the "fiery shafts" of the bow that God breaks.

Interpretation. The Menorah, the golden candlestick, is made of one beaten piece; it is read as a symbol of light and wisdom, and is today an emblem of Judaism. The broken shafts in Psalms are read as God ending war and defending His people.

Examples

• And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, were of one piece with it. (Torah EXO.37.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it. (Torah EXO.25.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• There He broke the fiery shafts of the bow; the shield, and the sword, and the battle. (Writings PSA.76.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• If one lay at him with the sword, it will not hold; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft. (Writings JOB.41.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. (Prophets 1SA.17.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun: «a shaft, shafts». Shaft can mean a hole (empty) or a rod (solid), so read the sentence to know which. «A shaft of light» is a beam, not a hole. Lift (UK) and elevator (US) shafts are the same thing.