single-shot
/ˈsɪŋ.ɡəlˌʃɒt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪŋ.ɡəlˌʃɑːt/ (ame, ipa)
single-shot — adjective
1. describing a gun that can fire just once before you have to put in a new bullet
describing a gun that can fire just once before you have to put in a new bullet by hand
The old hunting rifle was a single-shot weapon, so Caleb reloaded after every deer.
attributive: single-shot + weapon/rifle
Holding a single-shot pistol, Elena had to load a new bullet after firing each one.
The museum guide showed us a single-shot rifle that farmers once used to hunt rabbits.
Early single-shot muskets were slow because each soldier had to reload after every shot.
- single-fire
near-identical; less common in everyday speech
- breech-loading
describes how it loads, not the one-round limit
文法句型
single-shot + [firearm noun]
用法筆記
Only used before the noun (a single-shot rifle), never after 'be'. Contrasts with 'repeating', 'semi-automatic', or 'automatic' firearms that hold several rounds.
常見錯誤
2. describing a film or scene filmed in one unbroken take, with the camera never st
describing a film or scene filmed in one unbroken take, with the camera never stopping
The director planned a single-shot opening that follows the waiter through the whole kitchen.
attributive: single-shot + scene/opening
The crew rehearsed for weeks before they filmed the long single-shot dance scene perfectly.
Critics praised the single-shot battle scene because the camera never once cut away.
Élise shot the entire short film as one single-shot sequence on a quiet beach.
- one-take
everyday wording for the same idea
- continuous
stresses that nothing interrupts the recording
- edited
built from many separate clips joined together
文法句型
single-shot + [film noun]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (firearms): here the noun is a film, scene, or sequence, not a gun. The defining feature is that the camera records without any cut.
3. describing a medicine that works after just one injection, so no further shots a
describing a medicine that works after just one injection, so no further shots are needed
The clinic now offers a single-shot vaccine, so patients no longer return for a second dose.
attributive: single-shot + vaccine/dose
The nurse gave each child a single-shot vaccine, then sent them straight home to play.
A single-shot antibiotic cleared the infection without the usual week of daily pills.
Tara designed a single-shot flu jab that protects children for a full season.
- one-dose
stresses the amount given, not the needle
- single-dose
common in medical labels for the same idea
- multi-dose
needs two or more injections to work
文法句型
single-shot + [medical noun]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a vaccine, drug, or treatment. The point is that one injection replaces a course of several, so do not use it for pills or oral medicine.
4. describing a drink mixed with only one small measure of strong alcohol or espres
describing a drink mixed with only one small measure of strong alcohol or espresso
Asher ordered a single-shot latte because two shots usually kept him awake all night.
attributive: single-shot + latte/coffee
The bartender poured a single-shot cocktail for the driver who still had to drive home.
Eri sipped a single-shot espresso at the corner café, savouring its small, strong taste.
Nikos asked for a single-shot whisky, hoping one small measure would help him sleep.
- single
the bare word, often used alone at a bar ('a single, please')
- double
made with two measures instead of one
文法句型
single-shot + [drink noun]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a coffee or alcoholic drink. A 'shot' here means one small measure, so this sense contrasts with a 'double' that uses two measures.