shafting

[ shaf-ting, shahf- ]

noun

1. a number of shafts.
2. Machinery. a system of shafts, as the overhead shafts formerly used for driving the machinery of a mill.
3. steel bar stock used for shafts.
4. Architecture. a system of shafts, as those around a pier or in the reveals of an archway.
5. Slang. an instance of unique or unfair treatment:

   The owners gave him a real shafting on the deal.

shafting

/ ˈʃɑːftɪŋ /

noun

1. an assembly of rotating shafts for transmitting power
2. the stock from which shafts are made
3. architect a set of shafts

Word History and Origins

Origin of shafting¹

First recorded in 1815–25; shaft + -ing ¹