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

Other Word Forms

• aftershafted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aftershaft¹

First recorded in 1865–70; after + shaft

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.

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Aftershaft as long as the other half.

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