¹muscle

noun, mus·cle often attributive \ˈmə-səl\

: a body tissue that can contract and produce movement

: physical strength

: power and influence

Full Definition of MUSCLE

a : a body tissue consisting of long cells that contract when stimulated and produce motion

b : an organ that is essentially a mass of muscle tissue attached at either end to a fixed point and that by contracting moves or checks the movement of a body part

a : muscular strength : brawn

b : effective strength : power <political muscle>

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Origin of MUSCLE

Middle English, from Latin musculus, from diminutive of mus mouse — more at mouse

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MUSCLE

Synonyms: beef, brawn, main, thew

Antonyms: impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with MUSCLE

bustle, hustle, mussel, rustle, tussle

²muscle

verb

: to move (something) by using physical strength and force

: to move forward by using physical force

mus·cledmus·cling \ˈmə-s(ə-)liŋ\

Full Definition of MUSCLE

transitive verb

: to move or force by or as if by muscular effort <muscled him out of office>

intransitive verb

: to make one's way by brute strength or by force

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First Known Use of MUSCLE

1913

Related to MUSCLE

Synonyms: blackjack, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, drive, impel, impress, make, force, obligate, oblige, press, pressure, sandbag

Rhymes with MUSCLE

bustle, hustle, rustle, tussle

MUSCLES Defined for Kids

muscle

noun mus·cle \ˈmə-səl\

Definition of MUSCLE for Kids

: a tissue of the body consisting of long cells that can contract and produce motion

: an organ of the body that is a mass of muscle tissue attached at either end (as to bones) so that it can make a body part move

: strength of the muscles <He doesn't have the muscle to lift that.>

Word History of MUSCLE

The English word muscle came from a Latin word musculus that means literally “small mouse.” The movement of the muscles under the skin probably made someone think of a lively mouse.

Medical Dictionary

muscle

noun , mus·cle often attrib \ˈməs-əl\

Medical Definition of MUSCLE

: a body tissue consisting of long cells that contract when stimulated and produce motion—see cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, striated muscle

: an organ that is essentially a mass of muscle tissue attached at either end to a fixed point and that by contracting moves or checks the movement of a body part—see agonist 1, antagonist a, synergist 2