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aftershaft

[ af-ter-shaft, ahf-ter-shahft ]

noun

, Ornithology.
  1. a supplementary feather, usually small, arising from the underside of the base of the shafts of certain feathers in many birds.
  2. the shaft of such a feather.


aftershaft

/ ˈɑːftəˌʃɑːft /

noun

  1. ornithol a secondary feather arising near the base of a contour feather
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • after·shafted adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of aftershaft1

First recorded in 1865–70; after + shaft
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Example Sentences

Many feathers, in addition to the main axis, bear a second, generally much shorter axis, supporting a loose discontinuous vane; this shorter branch is known as the “aftershaft” and arises from the under surface of the feather.

Aftershaft as long as the other half.

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