This word developed from Middle English synwe, synewe (“tendon; ligament or other connective tissue; muscle; nerve; leaf vein”), which came from Old English sinu (“tendon, sinew; nerve”). That in turn goes back through Proto-West Germanic *sinu and Proto-Germanic *sinwō to Proto-Indo-European *snéh₁wr̥ (“sinew, tendon”), from *(s)neh₁- (“to twist (threads), spin, weave”). It is cognate with sinnow (“sinew”), Scots senon, sinnon, Saterland Frisian Siene (“sinew”), West Frisian senuw, sine (“sinew; nerve”), Dutch zenuw (“nerve, sinew”), German Sehne (“tendon, sinew; cord”), Icelandic sin (“tendon”), Danish sene (“tendon, sinew”), Swedish sena (“sinew”), Avestan snāuuar (“tendon, sinew”), Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neûron, “tendon; nerve; cord”), Latin nervus (“tendon, sinew; nerve”), Sanskrit स्नावन् (snāván, “sinew, tendon; muscle”), and Tocharian B ṣñor (“sinew”). It is a doublet of nerve and neuron.

Synonyms

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tendon muscle muscularity brawn heftiness brawniness

Related words

might power force energy strength muscle flesh ligament

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of sinew?

"sinew" (noun) means a tendon, or a cord like a tendon, in the body.

What is another word for sinew?

Other words for "sinew" include tendon, muscle, muscularity, brawn, heftiness, brawniness.

What are the different meanings of sinew?

"sinew" has 3 main meanings: 1. A tendon, or a cord like a tendon, in the body; 2. A piece of cord or string, especially, in a musical sense, one belonging to a musical instrument; 3. Physical strength, or forceful, energetic drive.

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might power force energy strength muscle flesh ligament