sinew Meaning & Definition
What Does Sinew Mean?
Sinew is a noun that means A cord or tendon of the body. It can also mean A cord or string, particularly as of a musical instrument. As a verb, it means To knit together or make strong with, or as if with, sinews.
Sinew at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈsɪnjuː// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | muscle, tendon and brawn |
| Plural | sinews |
| Verb forms | sinews, sinewing, sinewed |
Sinew Definition (Noun)
- A cord or tendon of the body.
- A cord or string, particularly as of a musical instrument.
- Muscular power, muscle; nerve, nervous energy; vigor, vigorous strength.
- That which gives strength or in which strength consists; a supporting factor or member; mainstay.
- A nerve.
Sinew as a Verb
- To knit together or make strong with, or as if with, sinews.
Noun
- (often in the plural) That which gives strength or in which strength consists; a supporting factor or member; mainstay.
Synonyms of Sinew
Sinew synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Sinew
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Sinew in a Sentence
No example sentences are available for this entry.
Word Forms & Grammar
sinew (plural sinews)
sinew (third-person singular simple present sinews, present participle sinewing, simple past and past participle sinewed)
Words That Rhyme With Sinew
Origin of Sinew
Origin 1: From Middle English synwe, synewe (“tendon; ligament or other connective tissue; muscle; nerve; leaf vein”), from Old English sinu (“tendon, sinew; nerve”),[1] from Proto-West Germanic *sinu, from Proto-Germanic *sinwō, from Proto-Indo-European *snéh₁wr̥ (“sinew, tendon”), from *(s)neh₁- (“to twist (threads), spin, weave”).
Origin 2: The word is cognate with sinnow (“sinew”), Scots senon, sinnon, Saterland Frisian Siene (“sinew”), West Frisian senuw, sine (“sinew; nerve”), Dutch zeen (“sinew”), Dutch zenuw (“nerve”), German Sehne (“tendon, sinew; cord”), Icelandic sin (“tendon”), Danish sene (“tendon, sinew”), Swedish sena (“sinew”), Avestan 𐬯𐬥𐬁𐬎𐬎𐬀𐬭 (snāuuar, “tendon, sinew”), Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neûron, “tendon; nerve; cord”), Latin nervus (“tendon, sinew; nerve”), Sanskrit स्नावन् (snāván, “sinew, tendon; muscle”), Tocharian B ṣñor (“sinew”). Doublet of nerve and neuron.
How to Pronounce Sinew
You say sinew as //ˈsɪnjuː//. It has 1 syllable.
Sinew: Your Questions Answered
Is sinew a noun or a verb?
Sinew is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for sinew?
Words with a similar meaning to sinew include muscle, tendon and brawn. See the full list of sinew synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of sinew?
The plural of sinew is sinews.
What is the past tense of sinew?
The past tense of sinew is sinewed. The present participle is sinewing.