sinew — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A cord or tendon of the body.

2. A cord or string, particularly (music) as of a musical instrument.

3. Muscular power, muscle; nerve, nervous energy; vigor, vigorous strength.

   Usage

   • Figurative

4. That which gives strength or in which strength consists; a supporting factor or member; mainstay.

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • in-plural
   • often

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   [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.

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

5. A nerve.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Verb

1. To knit together or make strong with, or as if with, sinews.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   And now to London with Triumphant march, / There to be crowned Englands Royall King: / From whence, ſhall Warwicke cut the Sea to France, / And aske the Ladie Bona for thy Queene: / So ſhalt thou ſinow both theſe Lands together, / And hauing France thy Friend, thou ſhalt not dread / The ſcattred Foe, that hopes to riſe againe: […]

   [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; […]

Noun

1. a cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment

   Synonyms

   tendon

   Broader terms

   connective tissue

2. possessing muscular strength

   Synonyms

   brawnbrawninessmusclemuscularityheftiness

   Broader terms

   strength