(often in compounds 常构成复合词 a long, narrow passage that usually goes straight down in a building or underground, used especially for a lift or as a way of allowing air in or out （电梯的）升降机井；通风井；竖井；井筒 a lift/elevator shaft 电梯井 a mineshaft 竖井 a ventilation shaft 通风井
Extra ExamplesThe workers go down to the tunnels through a vertical shaft sunk from the top of the cliff. 工人们经过一个从悬崖顶部开掘的竖井进入隧道。 They lowered him down to the bottom of the deep shaft. 他们把他放到深深的井底。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- deep
- vertical
- narrow
- …
- dig
- drill
- sink
- …
- down a/the shaft
- in a/the shaft
- into a/the shaft
- …
- the bottom of a shaft
- the top of a shaft
the long narrow part of an arrow, hammer, golf club, etc. （箭、高尔夫球杆等的）杆；（锤等的）柄 The clubs are fitted with graphite shafts. 球杆装有石墨杆。
(often in compounds 常构成复合词 a metal bar that joins parts of a machine or an engine together, enabling power and movement to be passed from one part to another （机器的）轴 - [usually plural]
either of the two long poles at the front of a carriage or cart between which a horse is fastened in order to pull it （马车的）辕 - shaft of light, sunlight, etc. (literary)
a long, narrow area of light 一束，一道（光、阳光等） - shaft of pain, fear, etc. (literary)
a sudden strong feeling of pain, etc. that travels through your body 一阵（疼痛、害怕等） - shaft of something (formal)
a clever remark that is intended to upset or annoy somebody 讥讽；挖苦；尖酸的话 a shaft of wit 机智的调侃
Word OriginOld English scæft, sceaft ‘handle, pole’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch schaft, German Schaft, and perhaps also to sceptre. Early senses of the verb (late Middle English) were ‘fit with a handle’ and ‘send out shafts of light’.
Idioms
give somebody the shaft
- (North American English, informal)
to treat somebody unfairly 亏待，苛待（某人）