I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ adjective
1.
a. : that is complete or effective through being done or used or applied only once and that does not require repetition
a one-shot cure
a one-shot riveting machine
b. : that is successful in only one try
those one-shot Johnnies who make a lucky strike and then spend the rest of their lives trying to repeat — Hamilton Basso
2.
a.
(1) : that is not followed and is not designed to be followed by something else of the same kind : that is not open to repetition or subsequent modification
a one-shot sale
a one-shot business deal
(2) : that is limited to just one time, occasion, or instance
a one-shot criminal
a one-shot bank robbery
a one-shot job in a nightclub
(3) : existing or occurring only once
a one-shot affair
b.
(1) : that is not followed and is not designed to be followed by a second issue : that does not appear as one of a series
books and pamphlets are usually produced as one-shot publications
(2) : that is not one of a series of productions of the same kind : performed or produced or put on just once
a one-shot television program
II. noun
also one-shot·ter ˈ ̷ ̷|shäd.ə(r)
( -s )
1. : something that is not followed and is not designed to be followed by something else of the same kind: as
a. : a book or other publication that is not to be published in successive issues
b. : a program (as a theater production) that is put on and designed to be put on only once
2. usually one-shotter : one that performs an act or that functions only once