catgut

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun perennial subshrub of eastern North America having downy leaves yellowish and rose flowers and; source of rotenone
  2. noun a strong cord made from the intestines of sheep and used in surgery

Etymology

Possibly an abbreviation of the word cattlegut. Alternatively, it may derive by folk etymology from kitgut or kitstring — the word kit, meaning fiddle, having at some point been confused with the word kit for a young cat.

In classic literature

Synonyms

goat's rue, wild sweet pea, Tephrosia virginiana

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