Schuss

Schuss is a German noun (der Schuss) with several related meanings centered on the idea of a discharge, shot, or rapid movement. In everyday language it commonly denotes a shot from a firearm or a shot of liquor, as in ein Schuss Schnaps. It can also refer to a quick burst or run of liquid, such as a “Schuss” of cream in a drink, though context often clarifies the intended sense.

The word derives from Germanic roots associated with shooting or throwing, and it has cognates in other Germanic languages. In addition to concrete “shots,” Schuss is used figuratively to denote speed, urgency, or the act of moving forward rapidly.

In winter sports, Schuss has a specialized technical meaning. It describes a straight, downhill run with little or no turning, intended to maximize speed. A Schussfahrt is a long, uninterrupted descent, and the term is often used in competition or coaching to contrast with sections that require turning or braking. The concept is familiar to skiers who differentiate between controlled, curving courses and fast, straight-line segments.

In English-language contexts, Schuss is most commonly encountered in skiing terminology, where it is borrowed to describe a straight, high-speed descent. Outside of ski vernacular, the term remains primarily accessible through its German meanings related to shots, dashes, and bursts of speed.