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muscle

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

muscle

Main Entry:: ¹mus·cle
Pronunciation:: \ˈmə-səl\
Function:: noun
Usage:: often attributive
Etymology:: Middle English, from Latin musculus, from diminutive of mus mouse — more at mouse
Date:: 14th century

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 part2 a: muscular strength : brawn b: effective strength : power <political muscle>

Learn more about "muscle" and related topics at Britannica.com

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