2 entries under this word

Sinew

Sin'ew, n.

noun

(sin′yū), n. [A. S. sinewe, and sinu, O. H. Ger. senewa, senawa, senwa, N. H. Ger. sehne, D. zenuw, Icel. sin, Sw. sena, Dan. sene.]

  1. (Anat.) That which unites a muscle to a bone; a tendon.
  2. Muscle; nerve. [Rare.] Davies.
  3. That which supplies strength.

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

Sĭn'ew, v. t.

verbtransitive

(sĭn'yū), v. t. [imp. & p. p. SINEWED; p. pr. & vb. n. SINEWING.] To knit as by sinews. We should find that creatures now stuck up for long tortures . . . might, if properly treated, serve to sinew the state in time of danger. Goldsmith.