and base (see Illust. of Column). Also, the part of a chimney above the roof. Also, the spire of a steeple.
[Obs. or R.] Gwilt. (h) A column, an obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument.
Bid time and nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to thee.
Emerson. (i) (Weaving) A rod at the end of a heddle. (j) (Mach.) 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. See Illust. of Countershaft.
4. (Zoöl.) 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.
5. [Cf. G. schacht.] (Mining) A well-like excavation in the earth, perpendicular or nearly so, made for
reaching and raising ore, for raising water, etc.
6. A long passage for the admission or outlet of air; an air shaft.
7. The chamber of a blast furnace.
Line shaft (Mach.), a main shaft of considerable length, in a shop or factory, usually bearing a number
of pulleys by which machines are driven, commonly by means of countershafts; — called also line, or
main line. - - Shaft alley (Naut.), a passage extending from the engine room to the stern, and containing
the propeller shaft. — Shaft furnace (Metal.), a furnace, in the form of a chimney, which is charged
at the top and tapped at the bottom.
Shafted
(Shaft"ed), a.
1. Furnished with a shaft, or with shafts; as, a shafted arch.
2. (Her.) Having a shaft; — applied to a spear when the head and the shaft are of different tinctures.
Shafting
(Shaft"ing), n. (Mach.) Shafts, collectivelly; a system of connected shafts for communicating
motion.
Shaftman
(Shaft"man Shaft"ment) n. [AS. sceaftmund.] A measure of about six inches. [Obs.]
Shag
(Shag) n. [AS. sceacga a bush of hair; akin to Icel. skegg the beard, Sw. skägg, Dan. skjg. Cf.
Schock of hair.]
1. Coarse hair or nap; rough, woolly hair.
True Witney broadcloth, with its shag unshorn.
Gay. 2. A kind of cloth having a long, coarse nap.
3. (Com.) A kind of prepared tobacco cut fine.
4. (Zoöl.) Any species of cormorant.
Shag
(Shag), a. Hairy; shaggy. Shak.
Shag
(Shag), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shagged ; p. pr. & vb. n. Shagging.] To make hairy or shaggy; hence,
to make rough.
Shag the green zone that bounds the boreal skies.
J. Barlow.
