sinewousadj.
/ˈsɪnjuːəs/ Sinewy; also figurative, strenuous, vigorous. In quot. 1745 perhaps intended for synovial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > structural parts > sinew, tendon, or ligament > types of sinew, tendon, or ligament > [adjective] > strong
sinewyc1440
sinewous1495
sinewed1604
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > of action: involving or requiring vigour > vigorous or intense in operation
strongeOE
smartc1300
steevec1300
keen1340
piercinga1400
perceantc1400
forta1513
incisive1528
vigorous1548
forcible1555
emphatical1581
searching1590
nervous1616
strenuous1632
arrowy1650
intent1650
urging1658
sinewous1663
emphatic1689
drastic1808
needling1839
shrewd1842
gimlet1894
1495 Trevisa's De P.R. v. xxv. 134 The necke is synewous to make wylfull meuynge.
1587 J. Hooker tr. Giraldus Cambrensis Vaticinall Hist. Conquest Ireland ii. x. 38/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II His armes and other lims more sinewous than fleshie.
1663 in Kendall Travels (1809) I. xii. 143 Errors corrupt, by sinnewous dispute, He did oppugne and clearly them confute.
1745 E. Haywood Female Spectator III. 298 They [sc. snails] are..furnished with a sineuous juice, which, distilling from their pores, becomes a hard consistence.
1861 J. C. H. Fane & Ld. Lytton Tannhäuser 13 Men, who..scann'd His sinewous frame, compact of pliant power.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adj.1495