gut
UK: ɡʌt | US: ɡʌt
n. 1. The stomach or belly, especially when protruding.
n. 2. The internal parts of the body, especially the intestines.
n. 3. Courage or determination (informal).
vt. 1. To remove the internal organs of an animal.
vt. 2. To destroy the internal parts of a structure.
The word "gut" traces back to Old English guttas, referring to the intestines or bowels. Its Proto-Germanic root gut- conveyed the idea of a "channel" or "flow," reflecting the functional role of the intestines. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to signify courage (e.g., "gut feeling") and physical resilience, likely due to the visceral association of strength with internal organs.
He complained of a sharp pain in his gut after eating spoiled food.
The hunter gutted the deer carefully to preserve the meat.
It takes real gut to stand up to a bully.
The fire gutted the historic building, leaving only the outer walls.
Trust your gut when making difficult decisions.