thew

n. [ Chiefly used in the plural Thews ] [ OE. thew, þeau, manner, habit, strength, AS. þeáw manner, habit (cf. þ&ymacr_;wan 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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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

Evil speeches destroy good thews. Wyclif (1 Cor. xv. 33). [ 1913 Webster ]

To be upbrought in gentle thews and martial might. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. 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. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]