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sinew

 - 5 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: sin·ew
Pronunciation: 'sin-(")yü, -y&(-w) also 'sin-(")ü
Function: noun
: TENDON
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

sinew sin·ew (sĭn'y&oomacr;)
n.

  1. A tendon.

  2. Vigorous strength; muscular power.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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