transmission shaft
- noun
- Specialized
- A faulty transmission shaft can cause problems in how the vehicle transmits power to the wheels.
Examples
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The mechanic carefully inspected the transmission shaft to ensure it was functioning properly.
-
Typically, an odometer connected to the car's transmission shaft transmits information about the distance the car has traveled.
Academic text (1994) -
The technician replaced the worn transmission shaft to improve the car's performance.
Synonyms
A long rod that turns to send power from the engine to the wheels
A rod that turns to move parts in a machine
How Complex
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'transmission' (the gearbox that transfers engine torque) + 'shaft' (a long straight rod); together they denote the shaft associated with the transmission that transfers rotary motion. This noun–noun compound follows a regular compounding pattern and is conceptually transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer its meaning.
Etymology
The compound noun transmission shaft comes from two simple words: transmission (something that 'sends power') and shaft ('a long metal rod'). Imagine a long spinning rod carrying the engine's push to the wheels — that's why it means 'a turning rod that sends power from the engine to the wheels'.