The term PROP IN 'THE SHINING' is referring to the iconic AXE wielded by Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, in the 1980 horror classic. The crossword solution for this term is AXE, which is a three-letter word. The AXE is used by Jack to try and break down the door of the bathroom where his wife and son are hiding from him. The AXE is a key prop in the movie and is a symbol of Jack's descent into madness.