a gun with no grooves in its barrels, for firingcartridges filled with small lead or steel balls. When fired, these balls (shot) travel in a n expanding, conelike pattern. Used figuratively, shotgun indicates something covering a wide area in an irregularly effective manner without concern for details or particulars; tending to be all-inclusive and nonselective. —Scientology 8-8008 Glossary Final approval c. 3 Mar 1990