sinew
/ˈsɪnju:; `sɪnju/ n
1 [C, U] tough cord of tissue joining a muscle to a bone; tendon 腱; 肌腱.
2 sinews [pl]
(a) muscles 肌肉
The athletes waited, with all their sinews tensed. 运动员都在等待著, 全身肌肉十分紧张.
(b) (fml fig 文, 比喻) source of strength or energy 力量或能量的来源
A country's sinews are its roads and railways. 公路和铁路是国家的命脉.