thew

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

thew, n. 

•  Manner; custom; habit; form of behavior; qualities of mind; disposition; specifically, good qualities; virtues.  [1913 Webster]

  "[Chiefly used in the plural Thews (th.]"

  "For her great light
  Of sapience, and for her thews clear."  [1913 Webster]

  "Evil speeches destroy good thews."  [1913 Webster]

  "To be upbrought in gentle thews and martial might."  [1913 Webster]
•  Muscle or strength; nerve; brawn; sinew.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

  "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."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

thew, n. (often in pl.) literary 1 muscular strength.
2 mental or moral vigour.

Etymology

OE theaw usage, conduct, of unkn. orig.