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A measure of capacity for liquids, containing about three gallons and a haft, wine measure. It was haft the amphora, and four times the congius.

A stab of iron welded to the side of a forging, as a shaft, near the end, and afterward drawn down, by hammering, so as to lengthen the forging. Contingent, or Springing, use (Law), a use to come into operation on a future uncertain event. -- In use. (a) In employment; in customary practice observance. (b) In heat; --…

The act of ushering, or the state of being ushered in. [Obs.] Shaftesbury.

The shaft of a terminus, from which the bust of figure seems to issue or arise.

A round of iron on the shaft of a tilting spear, to protect the hand. [Written also vamplet.]

The act of fanning, or winnowing, for the purpose of separating chaff and dust from the grain.

The shaft of a column, or a small ornamental shaft. Oxf. Gloss.

An arrow or bolt for a crossbow having feathers or brass placed at an angle with the shaft to make it spin in flying.

in the plural, goods; commodities; merchandise. "Retails his wares at wakes." Shak. "To chaffer with them and eke to sell them their ware." Chaucer. It the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the Sabbath, or on the holy day. Neh. x. 31.…

The arm of a crank between the shaft and the wrist.

The chaffinch. [Prov. Eng.]

A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine.

The chaffinch, whose cry is thought to foretell rain. [Prov. Eng.]

A bird that feeds on wheat, especially the chaffinch.

The male of the chaffinch. [Prov. Eng.]

; -- called also whim gin, and whimsey. Whim gin (Mining), a whim. See Whim, 2. -- Whim shaft (Mining), a shaft through which ore, water, etc., is raised from a mine by means of a whim.

The length of the arm reckoned from the shaft.

The chaffinch; -- so called from the white bands on the wing.

ly by the action of the wind upon oblique vanes or sails which radiate from a horizontal shaft. Chaucer.

To separate, and drive off, the chaff from by means of wind; to fan; as, to winnow grain. Ho winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing floor. Ruth. iii. 2.