SHOTGUN Meaning and
Definition
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Shotgun refers to a type of long-barreled firearm that is designed to be fired from the shoulder. It typically features smoothbore, meaning the inner surface of the barrel lacks the rifling found in other firearms, allowing for the firing of multiple projectiles rather than a single bullet. These projectiles are usually small lead or steel pellets known as shot, hence the name "shotgun." However, shotguns can also fire a single large projectile called a slug.
The shotgun is widely used for various purposes, including hunting, sport shooting, law enforcement, and self-defense. Its primary advantage lies in its wide firing pattern, allowing it to effectively target multiple adversaries or a moving target within a short range. Shotguns are available in different gauges or calibers, with the most common being 12-gauge and 20-gauge. The gauge represents the number of lead balls with that diameter equal to the weight of one pound.
Shotgun shells, also known as shotshells or simply shells, are loaded from the rear of the barrel and contain the projectile(s), a propellant charge, and a primer for ignition. They may have different shot sizes, payloads, muzzle velocities, and configurations to suit specific purposes, such as birdshot for hunting birds or buckshot for self-defense.
The term "shotgun" is also used metaphorically to describe various situations or positions that involve quick decision-making, as in "shotgun wedding" or "riding shotgun" in a vehicle's front passenger seat.
Top Common Misspellings for SHOTGUN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SHOTGUN
Etymology of SHOTGUN
The word "shotgun" originated in the United States in the early 19th century and its etymology can be traced back to the development of the firearm itself. The term "shotgun" is a compound word comprised of "shot" and "gun".
The word "shot" has a long history and originally comes from the Old English verb "sceotan", meaning "to project, to throw". It evolved over time to refer specifically to small projectiles, such as lead pellets, which were used collectively in a single shot. "Shot" eventually became associated with firearms that fired these pellets or other small projectiles, which led to the term "shotgun" being adopted.
The term "gun" has an even older origin and derives from the Old Norse word "gunnr", referring to war or battle. It later developed into the English word "gun" to specifically designate a portable firearm.
Idioms with the word SHOTGUN
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sitting shotgun
The idiom "sitting shotgun" refers to the act of sitting in the front passenger seat of a vehicle, next to the driver. It originated from the practice of having a person sit next to the stagecoach driver with a shotgun to protect against potential attacks. In modern usage, it commonly means being assigned or claiming the front seat of a car.
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shotgun wedding
A "shotgun wedding" refers to a situation where a couple is compelled to get married quickly, typically due to an unplanned pregnancy. The term originated from the idea that the pregnant woman's family would use coercion, or more metaphorically, a "shotgun," to force the reluctant father to marry their daughter.
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call shotgun
The idiom "call shotgun" refers to the act of claiming the front passenger seat in a vehicle, usually by verbal declaration or by physically rushing to sit in that seat before anyone else. It commonly occurs among groups of friends or family members preparing to ride together in a car. The person who "calls shotgun" gains the privilege of sitting in the front, while others usually take the back seats.
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shotgun house
A shotgun house refers to a narrow, single-story house with rooms arranged one behind the other, typically without a hallway, meaning one can shoot a shotgun through the front door and the projectile would pass straight through the back door without hitting any walls.
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a shotgun wedding
A "shotgun wedding" is an idiom used to describe a wedding that is arranged or forced due to an unplanned pregnancy. It implies that the marriage occurs quickly and under pressure, typically to avoid social embarrassment or out of a sense of duty rather than love or commitment. The term "shotgun" refers to the idea that the bride or her family may be threatened by the groom or his family with a literal shotgun if the wedding does not take place.
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ride shotgun
The idiom "ride shotgun" means to sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle, usually beside the driver. The phrase originates from the Old West, where a person riding shotgun would sit next to the stagecoach driver and carry a shotgun for protection against potential threats or robbers. In modern usage, it typically refers to the act of occupying the front seat next to the driver as a position of trust or authority, often in terms of acting as a lookout or providing assistance during a journey.
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shotgun approach
The idiom "shotgun approach" refers to a strategy or approach characterized by a random or haphazard method. It typically involves trying multiple options or solutions simultaneously, without a specific plan or targeting. The name originates from the scattered and wide range spread of shotgun pellets when fired, reflecting the lack of precision or focus in the approach.
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shotgun hut
A shotgun hut refers to a narrow, one-story house with rooms arranged in a straight line from the front entrance to the back door.
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shotgun cottage
The idiom "shotgun cottage" refers to a small house or cottage that is narrow and elongated, typically consisting of a series of rooms arranged in a straight line from the front to the back. The term is derived from the idea that one could fire a shotgun through the front door and have the shot pass straight through the entire house without hitting any walls. This type of dwelling is commonly found in Southern United States and is characterized by its limited width, lack of hallways, and direct access to each room from one end to the other.
Conjugate verb Shotgun
CONDITIONAL
I
would shotgun
you
would shotgun
he/she/it
would shotgun
we
would shotgun
they
would shotgun
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be shotgunning
you
would be shotgunning
he/she/it
would be shotgunning
we
would be shotgunning
they
would be shotgunning
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have shotgun
you
would have shotgun
he/she/it
would have shotgun
we
would have shotgun
they
would have shotgun
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been shotgunning
you
would have been shotgunning
he/she/it
would have been shotgunning
we
would have been shotgunning
they
would have been shotgunning
FUTURE
I
will shotgun
you
will shotgun
he/she/it
will shotgun
we
will shotgun
they
will shotgun
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be shotgunning
you
will be shotgunning
he/she/it
will be shotgunning
we
will be shotgunning
they
will be shotgunning
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have shotgunned
you
will have shotgunned
he/she/it
will have shotgunned
we
will have shotgunned
they
will have shotgunned
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been shotgunning
you
will have been shotgunning
he/she/it
will have been shotgunning
we
will have been shotgunning
they
will have been shotgunning
IMPERATIVE
you
shotgun
we
let´s shotgun
to shotgun
PAST
I
shotgunned
you
shotgunned
he/she/it
shotgunned
we
shotgunned
they
shotgunned
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was shotgunning
you
were shotgunning
he/she/it
was shotgunning
we
were shotgunning
they
were shotgunning
PAST PARTICIPLE
shotgunned
PAST PERFECT
I
had shotgunned
you
had shotgunned
he/she/it
had shotgunned
we
had shotgunned
they
had shotgunned
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been shotgunning
you
had been shotgunning
he/she/it
had been shotgunning
we
had been shotgunning
they
had been shotgunning
PRESENT
I
shotgun
you
shotgun
he/she/it
shotguns
we
shotgun
they
shotgun
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am shotgunning
you
are shotgunning
he/she/it
is shotgunning
we
are shotgunning
they
are shotgunning
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
shotgunning
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have shotgunned
you
have shotgunned
he/she/it
has shotgunned
we
have shotgunned
they
have shotgunned
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been shotgunning
you
have been shotgunning
he/she/it
has been shotgunning
we
have been shotgunning
they
have been shotgunning
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