(archaic) (by extension from the qualities sense) an origin or source, a reason for something

used to count items with shafts

the trunk or stem of a plant / the shaft of an arrow / the shaft, haft, or handle of a tool

describes something with a stem, shaft, or handle

the inherent qualities or characteristics of a thing / a shape, pattern, or design

the portion of a brush pen held in the hand / a penis / the hilt of a sword or knife, or the grip of a bow or staff

the nock on either end of a bow where the bowstring rests / a bent nail or other kind of spike attached to or driven through an iron staff or a truncheon to make the weapon more dangerous

a tenon, as in a mortise and tenon carpentry join / (slang) a penis

a female given name

(physics) quantum chromodynamics