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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Tunnel shaft

Tunnel \Tun"nel\, n. [F. tonnelle a semicircular, wagon-headed vault, a tunnel net, an arbor, OF. also tonnel; dim. of tonne a tun; -- so named from its resemblance to a tun in shape. See Ton.]

  1. A vessel with a broad mouth at one end, a pipe or tube at the other, for conveying liquor, fluids, etc., into casks, bottles, or other vessels; a funnel.

  2. The opening of a chimney for the passage of smoke; a flue; a funnel.

    And one great chimney, whose long tunnel thence The smoke forth threw.
    --Spenser.

  3. An artificial passage or archway for conducting canals or railroads under elevated ground, for the formation of roads under rivers or canals, and the construction of sewers, drains, and the like.

  4. (Mining) A level passage driven across the measures, or at right angles to veins which it is desired to reach; -- distinguished from the drift, or gangway, which is led along the vein when reached by the tunnel.

    Tunnel head (Metal.), the top of a smelting furnace where the materials are put in.

    Tunnel kiln, a limekiln in which coal is burned, as distinguished from a flame kiln, in which wood or peat is used.

    Tunnel net, a net with a wide mouth at one end and narrow at the other.

    Tunnel pit, Tunnel shaft, a pit or shaft sunk from the top of the ground to the level of a tunnel, for drawing up the earth and stones, for ventilation, lighting, and the like.

Usage examples of "tunnel shaft".

The incandescent geyser slowly dissipated into the travel tunnel shaft.

He made it into a passage, not knowing if it led to the tunnel shaft or the crater.

A lot of men who went into the ever-deepening tunnel shaft lasted only a few days.

If they tried to locate him by the combadge signal, it could have been anywhere in the pile of dirt closing the tunnel shaft to the bottom of the pool of water he’.

He would have been taking a gamble of his own, on being able to bring the train to a stop before he was drawn into the tunnel shaft with it and crushed to death.