Sinew

Quick meaning: Sinew is a noun meaning (anatomy) A cord or tendon of the body.

Meaning

(anatomy) A cord or tendon of the body.

More Meanings

1. A cord or string, particularly (music) as of a musical instrument.
2. (figuratively) Muscular power, muscle; nerve, nervous energy; vigor, vigorous strength.
3. (figuratively, often in the plural) That which gives strength or in which strength consists; a supporting factor or member; mainstay.
4. (anatomy, obsolete) A nerve.
5. (transitive) To knit together or make strong with, or as if with, sinews.

Example Sentences

Good company and good discourse are the very sinews of virtue.

[S]he loſt a noble and renowned brother, in his loue toward her, euer moſt kinde and naturall: with him the portion and ſinew of her fortune, her marriage dowry: with both, her combynate-husband, this well-ſeeming Angelo.

The Bodies of Men, Munition, and Mony may justly be called the ſinews of War, yet of them the two firſt are more neceſſary, for Men and Arms have means to find Mony and Meate: but Mony and Meate cannot ſo eaſily find Soldiers and ſwords.

[I]t were to be wiſhed that we tried the restrictive arts of government, and made law the protector, but not the tyrant of the people. […] [W]e ſhould then find that wretches, now ſtuck up for long tortures, left luxury ſhould feel a momentary pang, might, if properly treated, ſerve to ſinew the ſtate in times of danger; […]

Word Forms

• sinews
• sinnew
• sinewing
• sinewed

Synonyms for sinew

Depending on context, synonyms include muscle, tendon, brawn.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include muscle, tendon, brawn, bowstring, strength, toughness.

Related Dictionary Tools