shotgun

A pump-action or single shot firearm, which fires projectiles of packed shot of various diameters; shotguns are popular among hunters

shotgun

Forensic pathology A pump-action or single shot firearm, which fires projectiles of packed shot of various diameters; shotguns are popular among hunters, and an efficient 'execution' weapon when a hit-person must address a moving target; homicide and suicide by shotgun is common in the US, but exceedingly rare in civilized countries, given the strict gun control laws. See Ballistics, Cookie cutter wounds, Drive-by shootings, Execution wounds, Gauge, Sawed-off shotgun. Cf Assault weapon, Pistol.

shotgun

hunting firearm discharging mostly round lead shot over a wide area. Associated with lead poisoning in ducks that eat the failed shot, pitch poisoning in animals that eat the residues of clay pigeons at shooting ranges, and sometimes wounds in dogs that have the misfortune to be in the line of fire.

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shotgun injuries

typically occur in hunting dogs. Depending on the distance from the gun, the wounds range from extensive with much tissue damage to minor, almost undetectable, with the shot becoming imbedded in soft tissue.

shotgun pharmacy

using a number of medicines to treat an animal because of uncertainty in the diagnosis. Called also polypharmacy.

shotgun procedure

cloning DNA fragments in a random manner for a clone library from which fragments can later be selected.