tendon
tendon Lexical Profile
tendon Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A tough, flexible band of fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone, transmitting the mechanical force of muscle contraction to the skeletal system.
"The athlete suffered a painful injury when he tore his Achilles tendon during the final sprint."
The dense connective tissue of an animal, particularly beef, used as an ingredient in various cuisines where it breaks down into a tender, gelatinous texture upon slow cooking.
"The chef prepared a rich broth featuring slow-cooked beef tendon and fresh aromatic herbs."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with a ligament; a tendon connects muscle to bone to facilitate movement, whereas a ligament connects bone to bone to stabilize joints.
• Rhymes for tendon
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Medieval Latin 'tendo' (genitive 'tendinis'), derived from Ancient Greek 'tenōn' (sinew), ultimately from the verb 'teinein', meaning 'to stretch'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.