aftershaft

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

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Ornithology.

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

aftershaft

/ ˈɑː�ڳ�əˌʃɑː�ڳ� /

noun

ornithol a secondary feather arising near the base of a contour feather

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Other Word Forms

��t��·��󲹴ڳ�e�� 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

Examples have not been reviewed.

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.

From

Aftershaft as long as the other half.

From

aftersensation aftershave

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