shot¹ (shŏt)

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[Middle English, from Old English sceot, scot.]

noun 

1. The firing or discharge of a weapon, such as a gun.
2. The distance over which something is shot; the range.
3. 1. An attempt to hit a target with a projectile: His shot at the bear missed by inches.
   2. An attempt to reach a target with a rocket: a moon shot.
4. 1. Sports An attempt to score in a game, as in soccer or hockey.
   2. Baseball A home run.
5. Sports & Games
   1. The flight or path of a projectile in a game.
   2. A stroke in a game, as in golf or billiards.
6. A pointed or critical remark.
7. Informal
   1. An attempt; a try: took a shot at losing weight.
   2. A guess.
   3. An opportunity: gave him a fair shot at the part in the play.
   4. A chance at odds; something to bet on: The horse was a four-to-one shot.
8. 1. A solid projectile designed to be discharged from a firearm or cannon.
   2. pl., shot. Such projectiles considered as a group.
   3. pl., shot. Tiny lead or steel pellets, especially ones used in a shotgun cartridge.
   4. One of these pellets.
9. Sports The heavy metal ball that is put for distance in the shot put.
10. One who shoots in a particular way: a good shot with the rifle and the bow.
11. 1. A charge of explosives used in blasting mine shafts.
    2. A detonation of an explosive charge.
12. 1. A photographic view or exposure: got a good shot of that last model.
    2. A developed photographic image.
    3. A single cinematic take.
13. 1. A hypodermic injection.
    2. A small amount given or applied at one time: a shot of oxygen.
14. A drink, especially a jigger of liquor.
15. An amount to be paid, as for drinks; a bill.
16. Nautical A length of chain equal to 15 fathoms (90 feet) in the United States and 12 fathoms (75 feet) in Great Britain.

transitive verb: shot·ted, shot·ting, shots. 

To load or weight with shot.

idioms

like a shot

Very quickly.

shot in the arm

Something that boosts one's spirits.

shot in the dark

A wild unsubstantiated guess. An attempt that has little chance of succeeding.

shot² (shŏt)

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verb 

Past tense and past participle of shoot

adjective 

1. 1. Of changeable or variegated color; iridescent.
   2. Streaked or flecked with or as if with yarn of a different color: a blue suit shot with purple; a forest glade that was shot with sunlight.
   3. Interspersed or permeated with a distinctive quality: Her apology was shot with irony.
2. Informal
   1. Worn-out; ruined.
   2. Exhausted; thoroughly tired.

shoot (shōōt)

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[Middle English shoten, from Old English scēotan, Interj., alteration of shit.]

verb: shot (shŏt), shoot·ing, shoots. 

transitive verb 

1. 1. To hit, wound, or kill with a missile fired from a weapon.
   2. To remove or destroy by firing or projecting a missile: shot out the window.
   3. To make (a hole, for example) by firing a weapon.
2. To fire or let fly (a missile) from a weapon.
3. 1. To discharge (a weapon).
   2. To detonate or cause to explode: shot off a firecracker.
4. To inject (a drug, for example) with a hypodermic syringe.
5. To throw out or release (a fishing line, for example).
6. 1. To send forth suddenly, intensely, or swiftly: The burning building shot sparks onto the adjacent roof. He shot an angry look at me.
   2. To emit (a ray or rays of light or another form of energy).
   3. To utter (sounds or words) forcefully, rapidly, or suddenly: She shot a retort to the insult.
   4. Slang To give, send, or hand quickly: Shoot me that stapler.
7. Informal To spend, use up, or waste: They shot their savings on a new boat.
8. To pass over or through swiftly: shooting the rapids.
9. To cover (country) in hunting for game.
10. To record on film: shot the scene in one take.
11. To cause to project or protrude; extend: shot out her arm to prevent the bottle from falling.
12. To begin to grow or produce; put forth.
13. To pour, empty out, or discharge down or as if down a chute: shot gravel into the hole.
14. Sports & Games
    1. To throw or propel (a ball, marble, or other projectile in a game) in a specific direction or toward the objective.
    2. To accomplish (the objective) of a game involving a projectile; score (a point, basket, or goal).
    3. To play (a game involving projectiles, such as golf or pool).
    4. To attain (a given score) in golf.
    5. To play (a game involving dice, especially craps).
    6. To throw (the dice or a given score) in craps.
15. To slide (the bolt of a lock) into or out of its fastening.
16. To plane (the edge of a board) straight.
17. To variegate (colored cloth) by interweaving weft threads of a different color.
18. To measure the altitude of with a sextant or other instrument: shot the star.

intransitive verb 

1. To discharge a missile from a weapon.
2. To discharge or fire; go off.
3. 1. To gush or spurt: Water shot out of the geyser.
   2. To appear suddenly: The sun shot through a break in the clouds.
4. To move swiftly; dart.
5. To be felt moving or as if moving in the body: Pain shot through my lower leg.
6. To protrude; project: The headland shoots far out into the sea.
7. To engage in hunting or the firing of weapons, especially for sport: is shooting in Scotland during the fall.
8. To put forth new growth; germinate.
9. 1. To take pictures.
   2. To film a scene in a movie.
10. Sports & Games To propel a ball or other object toward the goal or in a specific direction or manner.
11. Games To throw dice.
12. Slang To begin talking. Often used in the imperative: I know you have something to tell me, so shoot!
13. To slide into or out of a fastening. Used of the bolt of a lock.

noun 

1. The motion or movement of something that is propelled, driven, or discharged.
2. 1. The young growth arising from a germinating seed; a sprout.
   2. A bud, young leaf, or other new growth on a plant.
3. A narrow, swift, or turbulent section of a stream.
4. 1. The act of discharging a weapon or letting fly a missile.
   2. Informal The launching of a rocket or similar missile.
5. 1. An organized shooting activity, such as a skeet tournament or hunt.
   2. A round of shots in a contest with firearms.
6. A session in which something is photographed, filmed, or videotaped.
7. The distance a shot travels; the range.
8. Nautical The interval between strokes in rowing.
9. A sharp twinge or spasm of pain.
10. An inclined channel for moving something; a chute.
11. A body of ore in a vein.

interjection 

Used to express surprise, mild annoyance, or disappointment.

phrasal verbs

shoot down

To bring down (an aircraft, for example) by hitting and damaging with gunfire or a missile.

Informal To ruin the aspirations of; disappoint.

Informal To put an end to; defeat: shot down the proposal. To expose as false; discredit: shot down his theory.

shoot for

To strive or aim for; have as a goal.

shoot up

Informal To grow or get taller rapidly.

To increase dramatically in amount.

To riddle with bullets.

To damage or terrorize (a town, for example) by intense or random gunfire.

Slang To inject a drug with a hypodermic syringe.

idioms

shoot from the hip

To act or speak on a matter without forethought.

shoot off (one's) mouth

To speak indiscreetly. To brag; boast.

shoot (one's) bolt

To do all within one's power; exhaust all of one's resources or capabilities.

shoot (one's) wad

To spend all of one's cash. To use up all of one's energy or resources.

shoot straight

To talk or deal honestly.

shoot the breeze

To spend time talking; talk idly.

shoot the works

To expend all of one's efforts or capital.

derivatives

shoot́er

noun