catgut

American  

[kat-guht] / ˈkætˌgʌt /

noun

1. a strong cord made by twisting the dried intestines of animals, as sheep, used in stringing musical instruments and tennis rackets, for surgical sutures, etc.

2. goat's-rue.

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catgut British  

/ ˈkætˌɡʌt /

noun

1. Often shortened to: gut.  a strong cord made from the dried intestines of sheep and other animals that is used for stringing certain musical instruments and sports rackets, and, when sterilized, as surgical ligatures

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Etymology

Origin of catgut

1590–1600; apparently cat ( def. ) + gut, though allusion is obscure

Example Sentences

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, composed of U.S and Canadian communities, first played lacrosse on wide-open stretches of land, using sticks fashioned from hickory and catgut.

From Los Angeles Times

Lacrosse began as a rough-hewn contest played on stretches of open land with sticks made from hickory and catgut.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, with effortless ease, as a skilled musician fits a bit of catgut to his lyre, he bent the bow and strung it.

From Literature

In the 1800s, some began to make and sell lacrosse sticks - made from wood, catgut and leather - to outsiders.

From Washington Times

They ran out of anaesthetic and catgut so they made do with ordinary thread.

From The Guardian