thew

(thyo͞o)

n. often thews

1. Muscular power or strength.

2. A well-developed sinew or muscle: "sinews of steel, thews of iron, abdomen like one of those old-time washing boards" (Michael Kelly).

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[Middle English, individual habit, virtue, strength (sense influenced by sinew), from Old English thēaw, a custom, habit.]

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thew′y adj.

An archaic term for muscles related to sinew—which Howards also uses a lot, mostly in describing his most powerful character, Conan. Thew is Howard’s single most recognizable term regarding heroic prowess and was exceedingly well-chosen for his subject matter.

Conan’s encounter with Kosastrel Kell in The Devil in Iron illustrates the taut use of this word over muscle, “Every thew quivering from the violence of his efforts…”