one-run
UK[wʌn ˈrʌn]US[wʌn ˈrʌn]
adj
In baseball, denoting a game or victory decided by a single run.
adj
In baseball, denoting a hit that allows a batter to reach base and results in a run being scored.
Morpheme Breakdown
one
run
one
single
run
score
Etymology
The compound adjective "one-run" is a transparent modern formation specific to the sport of baseball. Its first element, "one", traces back to the Proto-Germanic ainaz, carrying the fundamental sense of singularity. The second element, "run", originates from a Proto-Germanic root related to rapid motion, which in the 19th century acquired the specialized sporting sense of a point scored in baseball. The logic of the compound is purely descriptive, directly combining the numeral with the key unit of scoring to denote a minimal margin of victory or a specific type of offensive play, showcasing how English readily creates precise terminology for specialized domains.
Analysis
Structure: one (single) + run (score)
- one: From Old English 'ān', meaning "one, single, alone". It functions as a numeral adjective specifying quantity.
- run: From Old English 'rinnan', 'iernan', meaning "to flow, to run". In the context of baseball, it functions as a noun meaning "a point scored".
Examples
The pitcher delivered a stellar performance in a tense one-run game.
His clutch single in the ninth inning was a game-winning one-run hit.
The team's strategy focused on manufacturing one-run victories throughout the playoffs.