n. & v.
n. 1 tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone; a tendon. 2 (in pl.) muscles; bodily strength; wiriness. 3 (in pl.) that which forms the strength or framework of a plan, city, organization, etc.
v.tr. poet. serve as the sinews of; sustain; hold together. the sinews of war money. sinewless adj. sinewy adj.
[ OE sin(e)we f. Gmc ]