THEW

Etymology 1

Noun

thew (plural thews)

(obsolete) A bondman; a slave.

Adjective

thew (comparative more thew, superlative most thew)

(obsolete) Bond; servile.

Etymology 2

Verb

thew (third-person singular simple present thews, present participle thewing, simple past and past participle thewed)

(transitive, obsolete) To oppress; enslave.

Etymology 3

Noun

thew (plural thews)

Muscle or sinew.

A good quality or habit; virtue.

(usually plural) An attractive physical attribute, especially muscle; mental or moral vigour.

Verb

thew (third-person singular simple present thews, present participle thewing, simple past and past participle thewed)

Instruct in morals or values; chastise.

Anagrams

• whet

Source: Wiktionary


Thew, n.

Note: [Chiefly used in the plural Thews (.] Etym: [OE. thew, , manner, habit, strength, AS. manner, habit (cf. to drive); akin to OS. thau custom, habit, OHG. dou. *56.]

1. Manner; custom; habit; form of behavior; qualities of mind; disposition; specifically, good qualities; virtues. [Obs.] For her great light Of sapience, and for her thews clear. Chaucer. Evil speeches destroy good thews. Wyclif (1 Cor. xv. 33). To be upbrought in gentle thews and martial might. Spenser.

2. Muscle or strength; nerve; brawn; sinew. Shak. And I myself, who sat apart And watched them, waxed in every limb; I felt the thews of Anakim, The pules of a Titan's heart. Tennyson.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

23 May 2025

THOUGHTFULLY

(adverb) showing consideration and thoughtfulness; “he had thoughtfully brought with him some food to share”


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Coffee Trivia

International Coffee Day (September 29) is an occasion to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events occurring in places across the world. A day to promote fair trade coffee and raise awareness for the coffee growers’ plight. Other countries celebrate this event on October 1.

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