¦ noun
1. the stomach or belly.
Medicine & Biology the intestine.
(guts) entrails that have been removed or exposed.
fibre from the intestines of animals, used especially for violin or racket strings.
2. (guts) the internal parts or essence of something.
3. (guts) informal used in names attributing negative characteristics: greedy guts.
4. (guts) informal courage and determination.
5. [as modifier] informal (of a feeling or reaction) instinctive.
6. a narrow passage or strait.
¦ verb (guts, gutting, gutted)
1. remove the internal organs of (a fish or other animal) before cooking.
2. remove or destroy the internal parts of (a structure).
Phrases
bust a gut informal make a strenuous effort.
hate someone's guts informal dislike someone intensely.
have someone's guts for garters Brit. humorous used as a threat of punishment.
sweat (or work) one's guts out informal work extremely hard.
Origin
OE guttas (plural), prob. related to geotan 'pour'.