shaftment noun2 •An obsolete unit of length defined as 6 inches, which equals 2 palms or ²⁄₃ span; today 6 inches equals exactly 15.24 cm. (Before the 12th century, a shaftment was defined as 6+¹⁄₂ inches.) •Traditionally the width of the fist and outstretched thumb.A shaftment is the width of the palm and the outstretched thumb. formsshaftments
