sinewy
Meaning: Lean and muscular, with visible tendons and muscle definition; by extension, tough, strong, and vigorous in style or character.
Sinewy evokes a specific body type — lean rather than bulky, with visible physical toughness. It differs from 'muscular' by emphasising leanness and functional strength over size. Figuratively, it describes writing or argument that is stripped of excess and powerfully direct. 'Sinewy prose' is a compliment in literary criticism, suggesting vigour without ornamentation.
Examples
- The farmer's sinewy arms bore witness to decades of manual labour on the hillside. 那位农夫精瘦的臂膀见证了数十年在山坡上从事体力劳动的岁月。Los fibrosos brazos del agricultor daban testimonio de décadas de trabajo manual en la ladera.農夫の筋張った腕は、丘陵地帯での数十年に及ぶ肉体労働を物語っていた。농부의 근육질 팔은 구릉지에서 수십 년간 육체노동을 해온 세월을 증명하고 있었다.
- His sinewy prose style, honed over forty years of journalism, wasted not a single word. 他经过四十年新闻工作锤炼出的精练文风,没有浪费一个字。Su estilo de prosa vigoroso, forjado a lo largo de cuarenta años de periodismo, no desperdiciaba una sola palabra.40年のジャーナリズムで鍛え抜かれた彼の精悍な文体は、一語たりとも無駄にしなかった。40년간의 저널리즘으로 벼려진 그의 강건한 문체는 단 한 마디도 낭비하지 않았다.
- The documentary revealed the sinewy resilience of communities that had survived years of conflict. 这部纪录片揭示了在多年冲突中幸存下来的社区那种坚韧不拔的生命力。El documental reveló la fibrosa resiliencia de comunidades que habían sobrevivido a años de conflicto.そのドキュメンタリーは、何年もの紛争を生き延びたコミュニティの逞しい回復力を明らかにした。그 다큐멘터리는 수년간의 분쟁을 견뎌낸 지역사회의 강인한 회복력을 보여주었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: literary, media, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English sinu (sinew, tendon) + -y. The figurative sense of vigorous or tough emerged in the 16th century, drawing on the physical association of tendons with strength.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from General Advanced
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free