sinew
/ˈsɪnjuː/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪnjuː/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsin-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce sinew (audio) also ˈsi-(ˌ)nü/ (ame, mw)
sinew — noun
- sinewsingular
- sinewsplural
1. a tough cord of body tissue that fastens muscle to bone and helps movement.
a tough cord of body tissue that fastens muscle to bone and helps movement.
The doctor said the sinew in Mateo's wrist was badly torn.
pattern: the sinew in [body part]
Years of climbing made the sinews in Hana's hands stand out.
The knife slipped and cut a sinew near Eli's ankle.
During surgery, the team repaired the sinew behind Owen's knee.
A torn sinew kept Niran from lifting his arm fully.
- tendon
the standard modern medical word; sinew is older or more literary
文法句型
a torn sinew
the sinew in [body part]
用法筆記
Usually refers to a visible or injured tendon in the body. In everyday modern English, tendon is more common in medical explanation, while sinew sounds a little older or more literary.
常見錯誤
2. the key part of a system, group, or plan that keeps it firm and working.
the key part of a system, group, or plan that keeps it firm and working.
Local farms are the sinew of the town's food supply.
pattern: the sinew of [system]
Trust is the sinew that holds their small business together.
Regular buses became the sinew of village life after the bridge closed.
Patient volunteers were the sinew behind the community clinic.
Clear rules form the sinew of a safe building project.
文法句型
the sinew of [group/system]
the sinew behind [project]
用法筆記
Usually describes the supporting element that keeps something together. Distinguish from sense 3, which names strength or resources rather than the supporting part itself.
常見錯誤
3. physical force, or the resources and drive that make strong action possible.
physical force, or the resources and drive that make strong action possible.
Money is the sinew of any long election campaign.
figurative: the sinew of [effort]
Fresh recruits gave the army the sinews it needed for winter fighting.
Years of farm work built sinew in Pedro's shoulders.
Tax income provided the sinews for the city's repair programme.
After months of training, Nia finally had enough sinew to finish the climb.
- weakness
lack of strength, force, or resources
文法句型
the sinew of [effort/campaign]
the sinews of war
enough sinew to [verb]
用法筆記
Often appears in formal or historical writing, especially in phrases about war, politics, money, or effort. Distinguish from sense 2, where sinew is the supporting part rather than the strength itself.
常見錯誤
sinew — verb
- sinewpresent simple I / you / we / they
- sinews3rd person singular
- sinewing-ing form
- sinewedpast simple
1. to make someone or something tougher and stronger, as if adding tight cords of m
to make someone or something tougher and stronger, as if adding tight cords of muscle.
Years of rowing sinewed her back and shoulders for the race.
sinew + body part
Hard winters had sinewed the old fisherman's hands and jaw.
The long campaign sinewed the party before the final vote.
Daily climbing sinewed Owen's legs before the mountain season.
- strengthen
the normal everyday verb
- toughen
stresses making something harder or more resilient
- harden
can suggest a tougher surface or attitude
文法句型
sinew + body part
sinew + person/group
用法筆記
Rare and literary. It usually suggests that hard work, hardship, or repeated effort has made a body or group more resilient.