Sinew \Sin"ew\, n. [OE. sinewe, senewe, AS. sinu, seonu; akin to D. zenuw, OHG. senawa, G. sehne, Icel. sin, Sw. sena, Dan. sene; cf. Skr. sn[=a]va. [root]290.]

1. (Anat.) A tendon or tendonous tissue. See Tendon.

2. Muscle; nerve. [R.]

--Sir J. Davies.

3. Fig.: That which supplies strength or power.

The portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage dowry. --Shak.

The bodies of men, munition, and money, may justly be called the sinews of war. --Sir W. Raleigh.

Note: Money alone is often called the sinews of war.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Sinew \Sin"ew\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sinewed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sinewing.]

To knit together, or make strong with, or as with, sinews. --Shak.

Wretches, now stuck up for long tortures . . . might, if properly treated, serve to sinew the state in time of danger. --Goldsmith.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)