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.
Phrases and idioms:
the sinews of war money.
Derivatives:
sinewless adj. sinewy adj.
Etymology: OE sin(e)we f. Gmc