hitter

noun

Etymology: From hit + -er (agent noun suffix) or -er (measurement suffix).

1. One who or that which hits.

   “The boxer was renowned as a hard hitter.”

2. An assassin for hire; a hitman.

   “Death was Halston's business; he had brought it to eighteen men and six women in his career as an independent hitter.”

3. One who comes up to bat.

   “He struck out six of the last seven batters, striking out the side in the eighth and fanning two hitters in the ninth.”

4. A game with a team making a specified number of hits.

   “Mike Flanagan (1-2) hurled a four-hitter in 50-degree weather made colder by wind gusting up to 25 miles an hour. […] Ross Baumgarten (2-1) combined with Lamarr Hoyt on a seven-hitter to hand Detroit its sixth straight loss.”

   “Witt, who had thrown three two-hitters in his career, was in control throughout and showed no signs of fatigue.”

5. The point of 31 in the game of costly colours.