a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
"The archer adjusted the shaft so the arrow pointer aligned perfectly with his target."
a long rod or pole (especially the handle of an implement or the body of a weapon like a spear or arrow)
"The hunter gripped the wooden shaft of his spear firmly as he prepared to strike."
a column of light (as from a beacon)
"A shaft of golden sunlight pierced through the gap in the clouds to illuminate the snowy peak."
a vertical passageway through a building (as for an elevator)
"The elevator descended slowly down the narrow concrete shaft."
a long vertical passage sunk into the earth, as for a mine or tunnel
"The miners descended the narrow shaft to reach the coal seam deep underground."
a revolving rod that transmits power or motion
"The mechanic adjusted the broken shaft to ensure it transmitted power smoothly from the engine to the wheels."
The entire body of a long weapon, such as an arrow.
"The archer carefully inspected the wooden shaft before nocking his arrow to the string."
In plain English: A shaft is a long, straight pole used to support something heavy or connect two parts together.
"He tried to fit his golf club shaft into the small bag compartment, but he couldn't get it in without bending it slightly."
Usage: As a noun referring to the main stem of a spear or similar weapon, "shaft" is distinct from its slang verb meaning to deceive or harm someone unfairly. Use this term specifically when describing the wooden part of ancient weaponry rather than in modern contexts involving betrayal.
equip with a shaft
"The blacksmith equipped the bow with a sturdy wooden shaft to ensure accurate shooting."
To fuck over; to cause harm to, especially through deceit or treachery.
"The CEO decided to shaft his loyal employees by laying them off just before the holiday bonuses were announced."
In plain English: To shaft someone means to treat them badly on purpose and leave them out of something they wanted.
"The angry crowd began to shout insults and throw things at him, effectively shafting his reputation before he could speak."
From Middle English schaft, from Old English sċeaft, from Proto-West Germanic skaft, from Proto-Germanic skaftaz. Cognate with Dutch schacht, German German Schaft, Swedish skaft. In Early Modern English, shaft referred to the entire body of a long weapon, such that an arrow's "shaft" was composed of its tip, stale, and fletching. Over time, the word came to be used in place of the former stale and lost its original meaning.