Sinew vs. Twine — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
Sinew is a type of tissue connecting muscles to bones, crucial for bodily movements, while twine is a strong thread or string used for binding or tying items.
Difference Between Sinew and Twine
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sinew refers to the tough, fibrous tissues that function as tendons and ligaments in the body, facilitating movement by connecting muscles to bones. On the other hand, twine is a lightweight, versatile cord made from various synthetic or natural fibers, commonly used in packaging, crafts, and gardening.
Sinew is naturally occurring within vertebrates and is vital for their locomotion and structural integrity. Whereas twine is a man-made product, engineered for strength and durability in various applications such as tying, holding, or even decorating.
The texture of sinew is inherently elastic and strong, designed to withstand the mechanical forces of muscle movement. Conversely, twine’s texture can vary from soft and pliable to stiff and rugged, depending on its material composition like cotton, hemp, or nylon.
Sinew performs a critical biological function by joining muscles to bones and transmitting forces to facilitate movement. In contrast, twine serves primarily a practical utility in everyday human tasks, lacking any biological role but essential in various domestic and industrial contexts.
Despite their different applications, both sinew and twine are valued for their tensile strength and flexibility. However, sinew is a specialized biological structure, while twine is a crafted tool adaptable to numerous tasks beyond its basic function of binding.
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Comparison Chart
Composition
Collagen fibers
Natural or synthetic fibers
Function
Connects muscle to bone, supports movement
Binding, tying, crafting
Origin
Biological, found in vertebrates
Manufactured, crafted from various materials
Texture
Tough, elastic
Varies from soft to rugged
Primary Use
Biomechanical (in body movement)
Practical (in everyday tasks)
Compare with Definitions
Sinew
A source of strength or support.
Hard work is the sinew of any enterprise.
Twine
A tool in crafting.
Twine was woven into the fabric for texture.
Sinew
An element of strength or resilience.
Determination is the sinew of success.
Twine
A strong string or cord.
She used twine to tie the package securely.
Sinew
A tendon or ligament.
The hunter used deer sinew to string his bow.
Twine
Used in agricultural settings.
The farmer used twine to bundle the hay.
Sinew
Literary or poetic expression for strength.
The epic tale described the hero’s sinew and courage.
Twine
A versatile household item.
Twine is essential for DIY projects at home.
Sinew
Physical strength or power.
The boxer's sinew was visible under his skin.
Twine
Material for tying or binding.
He gathered some twine to support the plants.
Sinew
A tendon.
Twine
Twine is a strong thread, light string or cord composed of two or more thinner strands twisted, and then twisted together (plied). The strands are plied in the opposite direction to that of their twist, which adds torsional strength to the cord and keeps it from unravelling.
Sinew
Vigorous strength; muscular power.
Twine
Strong thread or string consisting of two or more strands of hemp or cotton twisted together.
Sinew
Often sinews The source or mainstay of vitality and strength
"Good company and good discourse are the very sinews of virtue" (Izaak Walton).
Twine
An instance of moaning or complaining
Having a good twine today—well, I am British and we do love complaining!
Sinew
To strengthen with or as if with sinews.
Twine
Wind or cause to wind round something
She twined her arms round his neck
The plant will twine round its support
Sinew
(anatomy) A cord or tendon of the body.
Twine
Moan; complain
Stop twining on about the snow
Sorry—I don't mean to moan at you. I've twined about it enough over the years
Sinew
A cord or string, particularly (music) as of a musical instrument.
Twine
To twist together (threads, for example); intertwine.
Sinew
(figuratively) Muscular power, muscle; nerve, nervous energy; vigor, vigorous strength.
Twine
To form by twisting, intertwining, or interlacing
Twined the cord from plant fibers.
Sinew
That which gives strength or in which strength consists; a supporting factor or member; mainstay.
Twine
To encircle or coil about
A vine twining a tree.
Sinew
A nerve.
Twine
To wind, coil, or wrap around something
"She was twining a wisp of hair very slowly around her fingers" (Anne Tyler).
Sinew
(transitive) To knit together or make strong with, or as if with, sinews.
Twine
To become twisted, interlaced, or interwoven
The branches of one tree twined with those of another.
Sinew
A tendon or tendonous tissue. See Tendon.
Twine
To go in a winding course; twist about
A stream twining through the forest.
Sinew
Muscle; nerve.
Twine
To wind or coil about something
Morning glories twining about stakes.
Sinew
Fig.: That which supplies strength or power.
The portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage dowry.
The bodies of men, munition, and money, may justly be called the sinews of war.
Twine
A strong string or cord made of two or more threads twisted together.
Sinew
To knit together, or make strong with, or as with, sinews.
Wretches, now stuck up for long tortures . . . might, if properly treated, serve to sinew the state in time of danger.
Twine
Something formed by twining
A twine of leaves.
Sinew
A cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment
Twine
A twist; a convolution.
Sinew
Muscular strength
Twine
A strong thread composed of two or three smaller threads or strands twisted together, and used for various purposes, as for binding small parcels, making nets, and the like; a small cord or string.
Twine
The act of twining or winding round.
Twine
Intimate and suggestive dance gyrations.
Twine
(transitive) To weave together.
Twine
(transitive) To wind, as one thread around another, or as any flexible substance around another body.
Twine
(transitive) To wind about; to embrace; to entwine.
Twine
(intransitive) To mutually twist together; to become mutually involved; to intertwine.
Twine
(intransitive) To wind; to bend; to make turns; to meander.
Twine
(intransitive) To ascend in spiral lines about a support; to climb spirally.
Many plants twine.
Twine
(obsolete) To turn round; to revolve.
Twine
(obsolete) To change the direction of.
Twine
(obsolete) To mingle; to mix.
Twine
A twist; a convolution.
Typhon huge, ending in snaky twine.
Twine
A strong thread composed of two or three smaller threads or strands twisted together, and used for various purposes, as for binding small parcels, making nets, and the like; a small cord or string.
Twine
The act of twining or winding round.
Twine
To twist together; to form by twisting or winding of threads; to wreathe; as, fine twined linen.
Twine
To wind, as one thread around another, or as any flexible substance around another body.
Let me twineMine arms about that body.
Twine
To wind about; to embrace; to entwine.
Let wreaths of triumph now my temples twine.
Twine
To change the direction of.
Twine
To mingle; to mix.
Twine
To mutually twist together; to become mutually involved.
Twine
To wind; to bend; to make turns; to meander.
As rivers, though they bend and twine,Still to the sea their course incline.
Twine
To turn round; to revolve.
Twine
To ascend in spiral lines about a support; to climb spirally; as, many plants twine.
Twine
A lightweight cord
Twine
Spin or twist together so as to form a cord;
Intertwine the ribbons
Twine the threads into a rope
Twine
Coil around;
Wisteria twining the fence posts
Twine
Wrap or coil around;
Roll your hair around your finger
Twine the thread around the spool
Twine
Make by twisting together or intertwining;
Twine a rope
Twine
Form into a spiral shape;
The cord is all twisted
Common Curiosities
What is sinew made of?
Sinew is composed of tough collagen fibers.
Where is sinew found in the body?
Sinew is found connecting muscles to bones, serving as tendons and ligaments.
What materials are used to make twine?
Twine can be made from natural fibers like cotton and hemp or synthetic materials like nylon.
How is sinew important to vertebrate motion?
Sinew transmits forces from muscles to bones, enabling movement.
How do the functions of sinew and twine differ?
Sinew functions biologically to support movement, while twine has various practical uses.
Can sinew be used for any non-biological purposes?
Historically, sinew has been used in bowstrings and sewing materials.
Is twine strong enough for industrial use?
Yes, especially when made from materials like nylon or polypropylene.
What are the common uses of twine?
Twine is commonly used for tying, binding, crafting, and gardening.
Is twine biodegradable?
Natural fiber twine is biodegradable, whereas synthetic twine is not.
Can twine be used in cooking?
Yes, specifically butcher’s twine is used in cooking to tie meats and poultry.
Are there different types of twine?
Yes, including but not limited to jute, hemp, cotton, and nylon twine.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
