First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1muse
verb \ˈmyüz\
: to think about something carefully or thoroughly
: to think or say (something) in a thoughtful way
musedmus·ing
Full Definition of MUSE
intransitive verb
1
: to become absorbed in thought; especially : to turn something over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively
transitive verb
: to think or say reflectively
— mus·er noun
See muse defined for English-language learners
See muse defined for kids
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Origin of MUSE
Middle English, from Anglo-French muser to gape, idle, muse, from Old French *mus mouth of an animal, from Medieval Latin musus
Synonym Discussion of MUSE
ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate mean to consider or examine attentively or deliberately. ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter <pondered the course of action>. meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply <meditated on the meaning of life>. muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance <mused upon childhood joys>. ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption <ruminated on past disappointments>.
2muse
noun
Definition of MUSE
: a state of deep thought or dreamy abstraction
First Known Use of MUSE
15th century
3muse
noun
Definition of MUSE
1
capitalized : any of the nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology presiding over song and poetry and the arts and sciences
2
: a source of inspiration; especially : a guiding genius
3
: poet
Origin of MUSE
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin Musa, from Greek Mousa
First Known Use: 14th century
MUSE Defined for Kids
muse
verb \ˈmyüz\
musedmus·ing
Definition of MUSE for Kids
: to think about carefully or thoroughly : ponder <She mused over what might have been.>
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