An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Sehne

by Friedrich Kluge

Sehne, f., ‘sinew, tendon, nerve, string (of a bow),’ from MidHG. sëne, sënewe, f., ‘sinew, string (of a bow), nerve,’ OHG. sënawa, f., ‘sinew’; comp. Du. zenuw, AS. sinu, f., and the equiv. E. sinew, OIc. sin, f.; Goth. *sinawa, f., is wanting. The word is usually connected with Sans. snâva-s, m., ‘sinew’ (the Teut. words would also imply a Sans. *sanâva-); its kinship with Gr. ἶν-ες, ‘sinew,’ is improbable.