Definition

A strong, thin string made from the intestines of animals, often used for musical instruments, tennis rackets, and in surgery.

Example

The violinist preferred catgut strings for their warm sound.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of catgut used for string instruments?

Yeah, I think it’s made from sheep intestines, right?

Exactly! I read that it’s really durable for making strings.

That’s interesting, I had no idea it had such a unique origin.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Catgut originates from the Old English word 'catt' (meaning cat) and 'gut' (from Old French 'gutte', meaning intestine). The term refers to the gut of animals, traditionally used for making strings, although it is misleadingly named as it is not made from cats but rather from sheep or goats.

Memory Tip

Think of 'cat' and 'gut' to remember that 'catgut' refers to strings made from the intestines of animals, not actually from cats.

Visually Confused Words