shot¹ (shŏt)
n.

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 12¹/₂ fathoms (75 feet) in Great Britain.

tr.v., shot·ted, shot·ting, shots.
To load or weight with shot.

idioms:

like a shot

1. Very quickly.

shot in the arm Informal.

1. Something that boosts one's spirits.

shot in the dark Informal.

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

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

shot² (shŏt)
v.
Past tense and past participle of shoot.

adj.

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.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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