piston / cob / flask
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piston
A cylindrical component in engines, pumps, or compressors that moves up and down inside a cylinder in order to compress or move gases or liquids.
Bei dem alten Motorrad war ein Kolben festgefressen.
In the old motorcycle, a piston had seized up.
cob
The thick, fleshy flower or fruit head of certain plants, especially corn.
Im Sommer grillen wir gerne frische Maiskolben.
In summer, we like to grill fresh corn cobs.
flask
A glass vessel with a bulbous body and usually a narrow neck, used in chemistry laboratories.
Die Chemikerin füllte die blaue Flüssigkeit vorsichtig in einen Erlenmeyerkolben.
The chemist carefully poured the blue liquid into an Erlenmeyer flask.
butt / stock
The rear, thickened part of the shaft of a rifle that is placed against the shoulder when shooting.
Er stützte sich auf den Kolben seines Gewehrs und wartete.
He leaned on the butt of his rifle and waited.
The meaning of 'Kolben' depends entirely on the topic. Pay attention to the context: Are you talking about technology (engine), food (corn), chemistry (laboratory), or weapons (rifle)?
Der Mechaniker sagte, wir brauchen einen neuen Kolben für den Motor.
The mechanic said we need a new piston for the engine.
When the topic is engines, pumps, or machines, it always means the cylindrical component. Typical words in this context are 'Zylinder' (cylinder), 'Motor' (engine), and 'Druck' (pressure).
Der Kolben verdichtet das Gasgemisch im Zylinder.
The piston compresses the gas mixture in the cylinder.
In connection with food, cooking, or agriculture, it almost always means a corn cob. The word 'Mais' (corn) is often mentioned directly before it.
Die Kinder lieben süße Maiskolben vom Grill.
The children love sweet corn cobs from the grill.
In the laboratory or in chemistry class, 'Kolben' refers to a glass vessel. The type is often specified more precisely, for example 'Erlenmeyerkolben' (Erlenmeyer flask) or 'Rundkolben' (round-bottom flask).
Der Professor erhitzte die Flüssigkeit in einem Glaskolben.
The professor heated the liquid in a glass flask.
When a rifle, hunting, or the military is being discussed, 'Kolben' means the rear part of the weapon that you place against your shoulder.
Der Soldat hielt das Gewehr fest am Kolben.
The soldier held the rifle firmly by the stock.
shaft
Schaft and Kolben can both refer to parts of a rifle. The Schaft is the weapon's long, supporting section. The Kolben is more specifically its thickened rear section, which rests against the shoulder when shooting.
Der Büchsenmacher reparierte den beschädigten Kolben am hinteren Ende des Gewehrs.
The gunsmith repaired the damaged butt at the rear of the rifle.
Der Büchsenmacher prüfte den langen Schaft des Gewehrs auf Risse.
The gunsmith inspected the rifle's long stock for cracks.
