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muscle

mus·cle

muscle

 
 
pronunciation:
muh sl
parts of speech:
noun, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Homophone Note, Word History, Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: body tissue that controls movement of body parts by tightening and relaxing.
Muscle weighs more than fat.If you don't exercise, you will lose muscle.
 
similar words:
lean, tissue
definition 2: an organ composed of a mass of such tissue.
My muscles are sore from lifting those boxes yesterday.This machine works the muscles in your shoulders and upper back.
 
similar words:
biceps, brawn, flexor, pectorals, tensor, thews, triceps
definition 3: physical strength.
It took an incredible amount of muscle to erect these statues.
synonyms:
brawn, force, might, sinew, strength, vigor
similar words:
beef, elbow grease, endurance, main, power, puissance, stamina, thews
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: muscles, muscling, muscled
definition: (informal) to force one's way.
She had to muscle through the crowd to get to the door.
synonyms:
elbow, squeeze
similar words:
butt, drive, push, shoulder, shove
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
Homophone Note
The words muscle and mussel (a mollusk) sound alike but have different meanings.
Word History
Muscle comes from a Latin word that means "little mouse." Some muscles in the arm and leg look like a mouse moving under the skin.
Word Explorer
broader categories including muscle
conventionally associated with muscles
some actions with muscles
some conditions negatively associated with muscles
some descriptions of someone's muscles
some examples of muscles
some parts of muscles
some things that affect muscles