shot1
• noun 1 the firing of a gun or cannon. 2 a person with a specified level of ability in shooting: he was an excellent shot. 3 a hit, stroke, or kick of the ball in sports, in particular an attempt to score. 4 informal an attempt to do something. 5 (pl. same) a ball of stone or metal fired from a large gun or cannon. 6 (also lead shot) tiny lead pellets used in a single charge or cartridge in a shotgun. 7 a heavy ball thrown by a shot-putter. 8 a photograph. 9 a film sequence photographed continuously by one camera. the launch of a rocket: a moon shot. informal a small drink of spirits. informal an injection of a drug or vaccine. — PHRASES give it one’s best shot informal do the best that one can. like a shot informal without hesitation. a shot in the arm informal an encouraging stimulus. — ORIGIN Old English, from the base of SHOOT.
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