[shoot] vb shot ; shoot.ing [ME sheten, shuten, fr. OE sceotan; akin to ON skjota to shoot] vt (bef. 12c) 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) "~ an arrow" "~ a spitball" "~ 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 "~ darts from a blowgun" "a steam catapult ~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 "~ the winning goal" "~ a basket" (5): to throw or cast off or out often with force "~ 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 "~ 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 esp. by overturning, upending, or directing into a slide
2: to affect by shooting: as a: to strike with a missile esp. from a bow or gun; esp: 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 ~ing out their tongues" c: to put forth in growing d: to place, send, or bring into position abruptly
4. a: to engage in (a sport or game or a portion of a game that involves shooting): play "~ pool" "~ a round of golf" "~ craps" b (1): to place or offer (a bet) on the result of casting dice "~ $5" (2): to use up by or as if by betting: exhaust "shot his whole wad on a shady deal"
5. a: to engage in the hunting and killing of (as game) with firearms esp. as a sport "~ woodcock" b: to hunt over "~ 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 "~ 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 "~ing rapids" 9: to plane (as the edge of a board) straight or true
10. a: set off, detonate, ignite "~ a charge of dynamite" b: to effect by blasting 11: to determine t 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 oneself in the foot : to act against one's own best interests -- shoot the breeze : to converse idly: gossip -- shoot the works 1: to venture all one's capital on one play
2: to put forth all one's efforts
[2]shoot n (15c) 1: a sending out of new growth or the growth sent out: as a: a stem or branch with its leaves and appendages esp. when not yet mature b: offshoot
2. a: an act of shooting (as with a bow or a firearm): (1): shot (2): the firing of a missile esp. by artillery b (1): a hunting trip or party (2): the right to shoot game in a particular area or land over which it is held c (1): a shooting match "skeet ~" (2): a round of shots in a shooting match d: the action or an instance of shooting with a camera: a session or a series of sessions of photographing or filming "a movie ~" 3 a: a motion or movement of rapid thrusting: as (1): a sudden or rapid advance (2): a momentary darting sensation: twinge (3): thrust 2b (4): the pace between strokes in rowing b: a bar of rays: beam "a ~ of sunlight"
4. [prob. by folk etymology fr. F chute--more at chute] a: a rush of water down a steep or rapid b: a place where a stream runs or descends swiftly [3]shoot interj [euphemism for shit] (1876)--used to express annoyance or surprise