Thewed

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /θjuːd/

Definitions

1. Relating to a physique characterized by strong muscles and physical robustness often linked to manual activity or sports
2. Connected to the appearance of well-defined muscles indicating strength and stamina typically seen in athletes or laborers
3. Having a physique defined by muscular strength and robust build usually associated with physical labor or sports activities

Etymology: The word "thewed" looks like a simple past-tense formation, but it began as a verb meaning to educate or train someone's character. Old English "þēawian" meant to make someone mannered, to form their habits and character, and its past participle "ġeþēawod" described a person who had been so shaped. In Middle English "thewed" kept that sense of being well raised, well mannered, or virtuous, and a person was said to be trained in good habits in much the same way. The modern sense of muscular and robust is a strikingly different path. Its root, "thew," originally meant a quality of character or habit, and a person's thews were their customary conduct. Over the centuries the word narrowed to refer to the physical qualities of a body, and the sense of a person's disposition was lost, leaving only the image of strength and sinew.

Synonyms: muscular, brawny

Antonyms: weak