gunshot
UK: ˈɡʌnʃɒt | US: ˈɡʌnʃɑːt
n. the sound made by a gun being fired
n. a bullet or projectile fired from a gun
n. the act of shooting a gun
The word "gunshot" is a straightforward compound of "gun" (from Old Norse "gunnr," meaning "war") and "shot" (from Old English "scēot," meaning "projectile" or "act of shooting"). The term emerged in Middle English to describe both the sound and the projectile discharged from a firearm. Its logical construction reflects the direct combination of two functional components: the weapon ("gun") and its action/result ("shot").
The loud gunshot startled the birds into flight.
Police found multiple gunshot wounds on the victim.
A single gunshot echoed through the valley.
The hunter missed his target despite the clear gunshot.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots near the bank.