[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/shaft/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / shaft # shaft noun (a shaft, shafts) «shaft» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#m1) 2. A shaft is the long, thin straight part of a tool, arrow, spear or golf club. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#m2) 3. A shaft of light is a narrow beam of light shining through a gap. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#m3) 4. In machines, a shaft is a rod that turns and passes on movement, like the shaft in a car. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#m4) 5. A shaft can also be one of the two long poles on a cart, between which a horse is harnessed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#m5) ### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#x1) - A shaft of sunlight came through the gap in the curtains. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#x2) - The arrow had a wooden shaft and a sharp tip. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#x3) - The lift shaft runs from the basement to the top floor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#x4) - Keep away from old mine shafts; they can be very deep. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#x5) - The motor turns a shaft that spins the wheels. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#x6) - The handle of the hammer is called its shaft. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#x7) - The golf club's shaft bent when he hit the tree. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#x8) - So of course the townspeople, whenever they wanted a horse shod or a shaft mended, went to the mayor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/#x9) ### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/shaft/#x1) - 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/shaft/#x2) - There He broke the fiery shafts of the bow; the shield, and the sword, and the battle. (Writings PSA.76.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/shaft/#x3) - 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/shaft/#x4) - 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/shaft/#x5) ### 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. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «shaft» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shaft/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«shaft» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/shaft.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «shaft» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/shaft/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«shaft» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/shaft.html) on Mova free.