1. (n.) The slender, smooth stem of an arrow; hence, an arrow.

2. (n.) The long handle of a spear or similar weapon; hence, the weapon itself; (Fig.) anything regarded as a shaft to be thrown or darted; as, shafts of light.

3. (n.) That which resembles in some degree the stem or handle of an arrow or a spear; a long, slender part, especially when cylindrical.

4. (n.) The trunk, stem, or stalk of a plant.

5. (n.) The stem or midrib of a feather.

6. (n.) The pole, or tongue, of a vehicle; also, a thill.

7. (n.) The part of a candlestick which supports its branches.

8. (n.) The handle or helve of certain tools, instruments, etc., as a hammer, a whip, etc.

9. (n.) A pole, especially a Maypole.

10. (n.) The body of a column; the cylindrical pillar between the capital and base (see Illust. of Column). Also, the part of a chimney above the roof. Also, the spire of a steeple.

11. (n.) A column, an obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument.

12. (n.) A rod at the end of a heddle.

13. (n.) A solid or hollow cylinder or bar, having one or more journals on which it rests and revolves, and intended to carry one or more wheels or other revolving parts and to transmit power or motion; as, the shaft of a steam engine.

14. (n.) A humming bird (Thaumastura cora) having two of the tail feathers next to the middle ones very long in the male; -- called also cora humming bird.

15. (n.) A well-like excavation in the earth, perpendicular or nearly so, made for reaching and raising ore, for raising water, etc.

16. (n.) A long passage for the admission or outlet of air; an air shaft.

17. (n.) The chamber of a blast furnace.

abysm abyss adit air duct air hole air passage air shaft air tube airway antenna tower arch arrow arrowhead baluster balustrade banister bank barb barbican barbule barrel barrow base beam belfry bell tower blowhole bobtailed arrow bolt boundary stone brass breathing hole bust cairn campanile caryatid cavity cenotaph chasm chested arrow cilium cloth yard shaft coal mine colliery colonnade colossus column crater crevasse cromlech cross cup cupola cut cyclolith dado dart deep depth derrick die dig diggings dolmen dome duct excavation filament filamentule fire tower flight flue footstalk footstone gibe gleam gold mine grave gravestone gulf handle headstone helve hoarstone hole hollow inscription jab jack jibe knock lantern lighthouse louver louverwork marker martello martello tower mast mausoleum megalith memento memorial memorial arch memorial column memorial statue memorial stone menhir minaret mine monolith monument mound naris necrology newel-post nostril obelisk obituary observation tower open cut opencast pagoda pedestal pedicel peduncle pencil pier pilaster pile piling pillar pinnacle pit plaque plinth pole post potshot prize put-down pylon pyramid quarrel quarry queen-post quill ray reed reliquary remembrance ribbon rod rostral column screw screwing shank shoot shrine skyscraper socle spilehole spiracle spire staff stalk stanchion stand standard standpipe steeple stela stem stick sting stone streak stupa subbase surbase tablet television mast testimonial thrust tomb tombstone tope touchhole tour tower transom trophy trunk tunnel turret upright vent ventage venthole ventiduct ventilating shaft ventilator volley water tower well wind tunnel windmill tower workings yawning abyss