I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: shot (I) + gun
1. : an often double-barreled smoothbore shoulder weapon for firing shot at short ranges — see gauge table; compare pump gun
2. : a variety of draw poker in which there is betting after each round of cards is dealt (as in stud poker)
II. adjective
1. : of, relating to, or using a shotgun
a shotgun shell
shotgun hunting
2. : involving coercion (as by the threat of arms) : obtained, enforced, or marked by duress
a shotgun title
a shotgun quarantine
a shotgun agreement
a shotgun merger
3.
a. : containing many ingredients or features of which one is expected to prove efficacious
a shotgun prescription
shotgun therapy
b. : applied to a whole group or class without consideration of individual circumstances : covering a wide field with hit-or-miss effectiveness : inclusive but random
shotgun propaganda mailed to all boxholders
pledge themselves to selective, not shotgun , investigations — New Republic
rely on direct controls, and … use a rifle not a shotgun technique — Fortune
4. South & Midland : of or being a shotgun house
a shack of shotgun construction
III. transitive verb
1. : to shoot with a shotgun
an enemy who shotgunned him from ambush
2. : to compel as if with a shotgun : force by duress
shotgun western Europe into federal unity — Andrew Roth
IV. noun
: an offensive football formation in which the quarterback plays a few yards behind the line of scrimmage and the other backs are scattered as flankers or slotbacks