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sinew - 7 dictionary results

sin⋅ew

[sin-yoo]
–noun
1. a tendon.
2. Often, sinews. the source of strength, power, or vigor: the sinews of the nation.
3. strength; power; resilience: a man of great moral sinew.
–verb (used with object)
4. to furnish with sinews; strengthen, as by sinews.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE sinu (nom.), sinuwe (gen.); c. D zenuw, G Sehne, ON sin; akin to Skt snāva sinew


sin⋅ew⋅less, adjective
sin·ew   (sĭn'yōō)   
n.  
  1. A tendon.
  2. Vigorous strength; muscular power.
  3. The source or mainstay of vitality and strength. Often used in the plural: "Good company and good discourse are the very sinews of virtue" (Izaak Walton).
tr.v.   sin·ewed, sin·ew·ing, sin·ews
To strengthen with or as if with sinews.

[Middle English sinewe, from Old English sinewe, oblique form of seonu, sinu.]

Sinew

Sin"ew\, n. [OE. sinewe, senewe, AS. sinu, seonu; akin to D. zenuw, OHG. senawa, G. sehne, Icel. sin, Sw. sena, Dan. sene; cf. Skr. sn[=a]va. [root]290.]

1. (Anat.) A tendon or tendonous tissue. See Tendon.

2. Muscle; nerve. [R.] --Sir J. Davies.

3. Fig.: That which supplies strength or power.

The portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage dowry. --Shak.

The bodies of men, munition, and money, may justly be called the sinews of war. --Sir W. Raleigh.

Note: Money alone is often called the sinews of war.

Sinew

Sin"ew\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sinewed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sinewing.] To knit together, or make strong with, or as with, sinews. --Shak.

Wretches, now stuck up for long tortures . . . might, if properly treated, serve to sinew the state in time of danger. --Goldsmith.

sinew 
O.E. seonowe, oblique form of nom. sionu "sinew," from P.Gmc. *senawo (cf. O.S. sinewa, O.N. sina, O.Fris. sine, M.Du. senuwe, O.H.G. senawa, Ger. Sehne), from PIE base *sai- "to bend" (cf. Skt. snavah "sinew," Avestan snavar, Ir. sin "chain").

Main Entry: sin·ew
Pronunciation: 'sin-(")yü, -y&(-w) also 'sin-(")ü
Function: noun
: TENDON

sinew sin·ew (sĭn'y&oomacr;)
n.

  1. A tendon.
  2. Vigorous strength; muscular power.

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