A blind shaft is a vertical excavation that does not connect with a horizontal tunnel or drift. It is usually dug for exploration or ventilation purposes. The term “blind shaft” is commonly used in the mining industry, but it can also refer to similar structures in other fields, such as construction and engineering.
Definitions
A blind shaft is defined as a vertical excavation that does not connect with any horizontal passage or opening. It is usually used for ventilation or exploration purposes. Blind shafts can be dug for different reasons, such as to access underground resources, to provide ventilation to underground workings, or to test the geological conditions of the ground.
Origin
The term “blind shaft” is believed to have originated in the mining industry. It was used to describe vertical excavations that were dug for exploration or ventilation purposes and did not connect with any horizontal tunnels or drifts. The term has since been adopted by other industries that use similar structures.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of blind shaft in different dictionaries is generally consistent. It is defined as a vertical excavation that does not connect with any horizontal tunnel or drift. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “a vertical excavation that does not intersect with a horizontal passage or opening.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a vertical excavation that does not communicate with any horizontal passage or opening.”
Associations
Blind shafts are commonly associated with the mining industry, where they are used for ventilation or exploration purposes. They are also used in other industries, such as construction and engineering, where they may be used to test the geological conditions of the ground or to provide access to underground resources.
Synonyms
Blind shafts are also known by other names, such as “blind borehole,” “blind pit,” or “blind well.” These terms are used interchangeably with “blind shaft” and refer to vertical excavations that do not connect with any horizontal tunnels or drifts.
Antonyms
The antonym of blind shaft is a “working shaft.” A working shaft is a vertical excavation that connects with horizontal tunnels or drifts and is used for transporting people, equipment, or materials in and out of underground workings.
The same root words
The root words of blind shaft are “blind” and “shaft.” Blind refers to something that is unable to see or perceive, while shaft refers to a long, narrow, vertical passage or opening. The combination of these two words creates the meaning of a vertical excavation that does not connect with any horizontal tunnel or drift.
Example Sentences
- The miners dug a blind shaft to test the geological conditions of the ground.
- The construction crew drilled a blind borehole to provide ventilation to the underground workings.
- The engineer recommended digging a blind pit to access the underground resources.
- The geologist suggested drilling a blind well to test the water table.
- The safety inspector inspected the blind shaft to ensure it was properly secured.