n.
Pronunciation: ' shüt
Function: verb
Inflected Form: shot \ ' shät \ ; shoot · ing
Etymology: Middle English sheten, shoten, shuten, from Old English sc ē otan; akin to Old Norse skj ō ta to shoot
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a (1) : to eject or impel or cause to be ejected or impelled by a sudden release of tension (as of a bowstring or slingshot or by a flick of a finger) < shoot an arrow> < shoot a spitball> < shoot a marble> (2) : to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by an explosion (as of a powder charge in a firearm or of ignited fuel in a rocket) (3) : to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by a sudden release of gas or air < shoot darts from a blowgun> <a steam catapult shoot s planes from a carrier> (4) : to propel (as a ball or puck) toward a goal by striking or pushing with part of the body (as the hand or foot) or with an implement also : to score by so doing < shoot the winning goal> < shoot a basket> (5) : to throw or cast off or out often with force < shoot dice> <the horse shot his rider out of the saddle> b : to cause (as a gun or bow) to propel a missile c (1) : to utter (as words or sounds) rapidly or suddenly or with force < shoot out a stream of invective> (2) : to emit (as light, flame, or fumes) suddenly and rapidly (3) : to send forth with suddenness or intensity < shot a look of anger at them> d : to discharge, dump, or empty especially by overturning, upending, or directing into a slide
2 : to affect by shooting: as a : to strike with a missile especially from a bow or gun especially : to wound or kill with a missile discharged from a bow or firearm b : to remove or destroy by use of firearms < shot out the light> also : WRECK , EXPLODE
3 a : to push or slide (as the bolt of a door or lock) into or out of a fastening b : to push or thrust forward : stick out <toads shoot ing out their tongues> c : to put forth in growing d : to place, send, or bring into position abruptly
4 a (1) : to engage in (a sport or game or a portion of a game that involves shooting) : PLAY < shoot pool> < shoot a round of golf> < shoot craps> (2) : to achieve (a particular score) in a game that involves shooting < shoot 80 in golf> b (1) : to place or offer (a bet) on the result of casting dice < shoot $5> (2) : to use up by or as if by betting : EXHAUST < shot his annual bonus on a shady deal>
5 a : to engage in the hunting and killing of (as game) with firearms especially as a sport < shoot woodcock> b : to hunt over < shoot a tract of woodland>
6 a : to cause to move suddenly or swiftly forward < shot the car onto the highway> b : to send or carry quickly : DISPATCH < shoot the letter on to me as soon as you receive it>
7 : to variegate as if by sprinkling color in streaks, flecks, or patches
8 : to pass swiftly by, past, or along < shoot ing rapids>
9 : to plane (as the edge of a board) straight or true
10 a : SET OFF , DETONATE , IGNITE < shoot a charge of dynamite> b : to effect by blasting
11 : to determine the altitude of
12 : to take a picture or series of pictures or television images of : PHOTOGRAPH , FILM
13 a : to give an injection to b : to inject (an illicit drug) especially into the bloodstream
intransitive verb
1 a : to go or pass rapidly and precipitately <sparks shoot ing all over> <his feet shot out from under him> b : to move ahead by force of momentum c : to stream out suddenly : SPURT d : to dart in or as if in rays from a source of light e : to dart with a piercing sensation <pain shot up my arm>
2 a : to cause an engine or weapon to discharge a missile b : to use a firearm or bow especially for sport (as in hunting)
3 : to propel a missile <guns that shoot many miles>
4 : PROTRUDE , PROJECT
5 a : to grow or sprout by or as if by putting forth shoots b : DEVELOP , MATURE c : to spring or rise rapidly or suddenly ― often used with up <in a burst of growth he shot up to six feet tall> <prices shot up>
6 a : to propel an object (as a ball) in a particular way b : to drive the ball or puck toward a goal
7 : to cast dice
8 : to slide into or out of a fastening <a bolt that shoot s in either direction>
9 : to record something (as on film or videotape) with a camera
10 : to begin to speak ― usually used as an imperative <OK, shoot , what do you have to say>
– shoot at or shoot for : to aim at : strive for
– shoot from the hip : to act or speak hastily without consideration of the consequences
– shoot one's bolt : to exhaust one's capabilities and resources
– shoot one's cuffs : to tug one's shirt cuffs below those of one's coat
– shoot oneself in the foot : to act against one's own best interests
– shoot the breeze : to converse idly : GOSSIP
– shoot the shit
usually vulgar : to shoot the breeze
– shoot the works
1 : to venture all one's capital on one play
2 : to put forth all one's efforts