Sinew: meaning, definitions and examples

💪

Add to dictionary

sinew

[ ˈsɪnjuː ]

^{Context #1}

anatomy

A piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament.

Synonyms

connective tissue, ligament, tendon

Examples of usage

The sinews in his arm strained as he lifted the heavy weight.
She felt a sharp pain in her sinew after running the marathon.
His sinews were strong from years of physical labor.

^{Context #2}

figurative

Physical or moral strength; power.

Synonyms

power, strength, vigour

Examples of usage

The sinews of the economy were strained during the recession.
She displayed great sinew in the face of adversity.
His speech was filled with the sinew of passion and conviction.

Translations

Translations of the word "sinew" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tendão

🇮🇳 मज्जा

🇩🇪 Sehne

🇮🇩 urat

🇺🇦 сухожилля

🇵🇱 ścięgno

🇯🇵 腱

🇫🇷 tendon

🇪🇸 tendón

🇹🇷 kiriş

🇰🇷 힘줄

🇸🇦 وتر

🇨🇿 šlacha

🇸🇰 šľacha

🇨🇳 肌腱

🇸🇮 tetiva

🇮🇸 sin

🇰🇿 сіңір

🇬🇪 მყესი

🇦🇿 sinir

🇲🇽 tendón

Word origin

The word 'sinew' originated from Middle English 'sinewe', from Old English 'sinu', meaning tendon or sinew. The term has been used since the 14th century to refer to the tough fibrous tissue in the body, as well as symbolically to represent strength and power.