Shaft
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): ( n.) That which resembles in some degree the stem or handle of an arrow or a spear; a long, slender part, especially when cylindrical.
(2): ( n.) The slender, smooth stem of an arrow; hence, an arrow.
(3): ( 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.
(4): ( n.) The chamber of a blast furnace.
(5): ( n.) The pole, or tongue, of a vehicle; also, a thill.
(6): ( n.) A long passage for the admission or outlet of air; an air shaft.
(7): ( n.) A well-like excavation in the earth, perpendicular or nearly so, made for reaching and raising ore, for raising water, etc.
(8): ( 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.
(9): ( 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.
(10): ( n.) A rod at the end of a heddle.
(11): ( n.) A column, an obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument.
(12): ( 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.
(13): ( n.) A pole, especially a Maypole.
(14): ( n.) The trunk, stem, or stalk of a plant.
(15): ( n.) The stem or midrib of a feather.
(16): ( n.) The handle or helve of certain tools, instruments, etc., as a hammer, a whip, etc.
(17): ( n.) The part of a candlestick which supports its branches.
King James Dictionary [2]
SH'AFT, n. L. scapus from the root of shape, from setting, or shooting, extending.
1. An arrow a missile weapin as the archer and the shaft.
So loftly was the pile, a Parthian bow
Whith vigor drawn must send the shaft below. Dryden.
2. In mining, a pit or long narrow opening or entrance into a mine. This may possibly be a different word, as in German it is written schacht, Dan. skaegte. 3. In architecture, the shaft of a column is the body of it, between the base and the capital. 4. Any thing straight as the shaft of a steeple, and many other things. 5. The stem or stock of a fether or quill. 6. The pole of a carriage, sometimes called tongue or neap. The thills of a chaise or geg are also called shafts. 7. The handle of a weapon.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [3]
shaft : Isaiah 49:2 for חץ , ḥēc , "an arrow"; also Exodus 25:31; Exodus 37:17; Numbers 8:4 the King James Version for a part of the candlestick of the tabernacle somewhat vaguely designated by the word ירך , yārēkh , "thigh." The context in the first 2 verses shows that the upright stem or "shaft" is intended, but in Numbers 8:4 a different context has caused the Revised Version (British and American) to substitute "base." See also Archery; Armor; Arms .
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [4]
appears in a few. passages of the A.V. in two senses as the rendering of
(a) חֵוֹ , Chets ( Isaiah 49:2), an Arrow (as often elsewhere);
(b) יָרֵךְ , Yarek, properly a Thigh (as often); hence the Shank of the golden candelabrum in the Tabernacle, where the stem ( קָנֶה ) separated into the three feet ( Exodus 25:31; Exodus 37:17; Numbers 8:4). (See Candlestick).
