Kitgut

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Cord made from twisted and dried animal intestines, traditionally used for stringing musical instruments such as violins ; a low-cost fiber used as a substitute for better strings
2. Strings prepared from processed sheep or animal gut, historically fitted to lutes and other instruments ; an inexpensive stringing material often sold as a cheaper alternative
3. A type of catgut made from animal entrails and used to string instruments ; a basic string material that serves as an economical option for musicians

Etymology: The string made from animal gut was once commonly called "kitgut," and the "kit" in that name probably refers to the kit, a small pocket violin of the 17th and 18th centuries. Strings for these instruments were made from sheep or goat intestines, which were cleaned, twisted, and dried. The name points to the instrument rather than to any animal, and "kit" itself is of uncertain origin. Over time, the form "catgut" became more common, and it is now the standard spelling for this material. Its origin is unclear. Some sources link it to the cat, but the material never came from cats. The most likely explanation is that "cat" arose as a confused or altered form of "kit," so the familiar name owes its shape to a mistake or a folk reinterpretation.