First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
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
1
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
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Origin of MUSCLE
Middle English, from Latin musculus, from diminutive of mus mouse — more at mouse
Related to MUSCLE
Other Anatomy Terms
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
See muscle defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MUSCLE
1913
Related to MUSCLE
MUSCLE[1] Defined for Kids
muscle
noun mus·cle \ˈmə-səl\
Definition of MUSCLE for Kids
1
: a tissue of the body consisting of long cells that can contract and produce motion
2
: 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
3
: 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
1
: a body tissue consisting of long cells that contract when stimulated and produce motion—see cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, striated muscle
2
: 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
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