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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of catgut

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

Example Sentences

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

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2020

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

From Washington Times • May 13, 2018

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

From The Guardian • Aug. 2, 2017

Music relied conspicuously on the slaughter of animals: horsehair bows drawn over catgut, horns torn from the heads of big game.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 27, 2016

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

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton