I. ˈth(y)ü noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, custom, habit, personal quality, virtue, from Old English thēaw; akin to Old Saxon thau custom, habit, Old High German kathau discipline, and probably to Latin tuēri to observe, protect — more at tuition
1. thews plural , archaic : mental or moral qualities, traits, or customs
2.
a. : muscle , sinew
broad of shoulder and great of thew — Frank Yerby
— usually used in plural
b.
(1) : muscular power or development
(2) : strength , vitality
the naked thew and sinew of the English language — G.M.Hopkins
II.
dialect
past of thaw