sinew
[ sin-yoo ]
noun
a tendon.
Often sinews. the source of strength, power, or vigor: the sinews of the nation.
strength; power; resilience: a man of great moral sinew.
verb (used with object)
to furnish with sinews; strengthen, as by sinews.
Origin of sinew
1before 900; Middle English; Old English sinu (nominative), sinuwe (genitive); cognate with Dutch zenuw,German Sehne,Old Norse sin; akin to Sanskrit snāva sinew
Other words from sinew
- sin·ew·less, adjective
- un·sin·ewed, adjective
- un·sin·ew·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use sinew in a sentence
One stage was accomplished, but how stiff were his joints and how sinewless his fingers!
She's All the World to Me | Hall CaineOne stage he accomplished, and then how stiff were his joints, and how sinewless his fingers!
The Deemster | Hall Caine
British Dictionary definitions for sinew
sinew
/ (ˈsɪnjuː) /
Origin of sinew
1Old English sionu; related to Old Norse sin, Old Saxon sinewa, Old High German senawa sinew, Lettish pasainis string
Derived forms of sinew
- sinewless, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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