Sinewiness

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The state of having prominent, well-defined muscles and tendons visible beneath the skin, giving an appearance of strength and leanness
2. The characteristic of displaying strong, corded musculature and visible sinews that suggest power and fitness
3. The quality of possessing muscular definition with visible tendons, conveying an impression of athletic strength and minimal body fat

Etymology: "Sinewiness" is simply "sinewy" with the suffix "-ness" added. "Sinewy" comes from "sinew," the tough fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone, with "-y" turning the noun into an adjective meaning full of or resembling sinew. The suffix "-ness" turns an adjective into a noun for the quality it describes, so "sinewiness" names the state of being strong, lean and wiry, the quality of muscle that looks and feels like cords of sinew.

Synonyms: strength, toughness, muscularity

Antonyms: weakness, frailty