First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1muster
noun mus·ter \ˈməs-tər\
: a formal military gathering to examine or test soldiers
Full Definition of MUSTER
1
: a representative specimen : sample
2
a : an act of assembling; specifically : formal military inspection b : critical examination c : an assembled group : collection d : inventory
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Origin of MUSTER
Middle English mustre, from Anglo-French mostre, monstre, from mustrer
Related to MUSTER
- Synonyms
- assemblage, assembly, conference, congregation, convocation, ingathering, meeting, gathering
2muster
verb
: to work hard to find or get (courage, support, etc.)
: to gather together (a group of people, soldiers, etc.) especially for battle or war
mus·teredmus·ter·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of MUSTER
transitive verb
1
a : to cause to gather : convene b : to enroll formally —usually used with in or into <was mustered into the army> c : to call the roll of
3
: to amount to : comprise
intransitive verb
: to come together : congregate
See muster defined for English-language learners
See muster defined for kids
Origin of MUSTER
Middle English mustren to show, muster, from Anglo-French mustrer, monstrer, from Latin monstrare to show, from monstrum evil omen, monster — more at monster
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to MUSTER
Synonym Discussion of MUSTER
summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to demand the presence of. summon implies the exercise of authority <was summoned to answer charges>. call may be used less formally for summon <called the legislature into special session>. cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge <cited for drunken driving>. convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes <convoked a Vatican council>. convene is somewhat less formal than convoke <convened the students>. muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole <mustered the troops>.
MUSTER Defined for Kids
1muster
noun mus·ter \ˈmə-stər\
Definition of MUSTER for Kids
1
: a formal gathering of military troops for inspection
2
: an act of careful examination or consideration to determine whether something is acceptable or good enough <Your excuses will not pass muster.>
2muster
verb
mus·teredmus·ter·ing
Definition of MUSTER for Kids
1
: to call together (as troops) for roll call or inspection
2
: to bring into being or action <I shall await your arrival with all the eagerness I can muster. — E. B. White, Stuart Little>
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