Rawhide

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɹɔːhaɪd/

Definitions

1. A form of animal skin that remains untanned and is often employed in the creation of resilient products
2. An untreated leather source from animals, known for its strength, frequently utilized in manufacturing diverse items
3. A type of unprocessed animal skin that has not undergone tanning, recognized for its durability and often used in making various goods

Etymology: Rawhide is about as transparent as English compounds get: "raw" plus "hide," with "raw" in its old sense of "not yet processed." A hide that has been cleaned and dried but never tanned, so it keeps its natural stiffness and strength, is exactly what the word names. Tanning is the step that makes leather supple and durable against rot, so untanned skin stays closer to the animal's original state. That plain construction is what makes the word useful. Because the hide is not chemically transformed, it can be shrunk onto a frame as it dries, which is why it has long been used for drumheads, shield faces, and the taut backs of some chairs. It can also be cut into strips and braided or stiffened into rope, lashings, and whips, where toughness matters more than suppleness.

Synonyms: leather, hide