shotgun

Definition

A gun which fires loads typically consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.

Etymology

From shot + gun. Front passenger seat sense comes from ride shotgun.

Example Sentences

• "The farmer's son brought home a Thanksgiving turkey from the wild that he killed with his shotgun."
• "You can't talk to a man / With a shotgun in his hand"
• "An unusual custom is followed at Llangennith, when shotguns are fired at a wedding - to scare off evil spirits from the newlyweds."