rhizoverbBeta
DictionarythewMuscle or sinew
noun

thew

THYOO/θˈu/

A body's muscle or sinew.

The young man's thews tense as he lifts the heavy stone.

A sinewy young man lifts a heavy stone from the ground, with visibly tense forearms, shoulders and legs making muscular force the unmistakable focus.
Etymology
thewOld Englishhabit, custom

From habits and customs, the plural came to describe personal qualities. The notion of good qualities extended to bodily powers and good physique, eventually giving thew its sense of muscular strength.

More examples

  • The climber strains every thew to reach the ledge.
  • His rolled-up sleeves reveal the thews of a seasoned rower.
  • The work demands strong thews as well as patience.

Forms

thew · thews

Similar words

muscle
The usual anatomical term, without thew's literary tone.
sinew
Often refers specifically to a tendon rather than muscle.