sinew

A noun referring to a tough, fibrous cord of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone, or figuratively, the source of strength or power.

• 🇫🇷Nom désignant un cordon de tissu fibreux robuste qui relie un muscle à un os, ou au sens figuré, une source de force ou de vigueur.

1. Tendon C1 formal

   A tough, fibrous band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone, enabling movement.

   • The surgeon carefully repaired the torn sinew in his shoulder.
   • The athlete's powerful sinews were visible beneath his skin.
   • A pulled sinew can be extremely painful and slow to heal.

   🇫🇷Tendon

   Synonymes: tendon

2. Strength or Power C2 formal

   Used figuratively to describe physical strength, muscular power, or the source of something's strength.

   • The sinew of the nation lies in its hardworking people.
   • He possessed the sinew and determination to overcome any obstacle.
   • The economy is the sinew of a country's military power.

   🇫🇷force, vigueur

   Synonymes: brawnenergyforcemightmusclepotencypowerstrengthvigor

• sinews plural form
• sinews' possessive plural form
• sinew's possessive singular form