muscle

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   One of the parts of the body that produce movement by tightening and relaxing.

   Lifting weights helps you build stronger muscles.

2. 2
   noun

   Physical strength.

   It took a lot of muscle to move the heavy piano.

3. 3
   noun

   Power or influence, especially used to force others.

   The senators used their muscle to force the leader to resign.

4. 4
   verb

   To push your way forward using force.

   They muscled their way into the crowded office.

From Middle English muscle, muscule, muskylle, and in part from Middle French muscle, from Latin mūsculus (“a muscle”, literally “little mouse”) because of the mouselike appearance of some muscles, from mūs (“mouse”). Doublet of mussel. More at mouse.

Topics