catling

noun

cat·​ling

ˈkatliŋ

plural -s

1

: a small cat : kitten

2

: a catgut string for a musical instrument

3

: the smallest string instrument (as a lute)

4

or less commonly catlin

-lə̇n

: a long double-edged sharp-pointed knife used in amputations to divide tissues between close-lying bones

Word History

Etymology

cat entry 1 + -ling

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