thew
[noun]
Synonyms: muscle, beef, brawn, might

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

thew verb trans.ME-E17.
[App. from THEW noun¹.]
Instruct in morals or manners; train; discipline, chastise.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

thew noun¹. [Ɵju:] Now literary.
[Old English Þēaw usage, conduct = Old Frisian thaw, Old Saxon Þau, Old High German thau, dau discipline: ult. origin unkn.]
1. A custom, a usage, a general practice, esp. one observed by a group of people, a community, etc. OE-ME.
b. In pl. Customs ordained; ordinances. LME-E17.

2. A habit; a person's manner of behaving or acting; a personal quality or characteristic; an attribute, a trait. Usu. in pl. OE-E19.
■ Southey In martial thewes..To train the sons of Owen.
b. A good quality or habit; a virtue. ME-L16.

3. sing. & (usu.) in pl. Attractive physical attributes or features; esp. good bodily proportions, parts, etc., as indicating physical strength; muscles, muscular development; might, vigour; fig. mental or moral vigour. ME.
■ Shakespeare Julius Caesar Romans now Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors.
■ M. E. Braddon Nature has been kinder to your brother in..thew and sinew.

■ thewness noun (rare) (a) virtue; (b) vigour, robustness: ME.

■ thewy adjective (rare) muscular, brawny: M19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲