muscle
noun
Origin
Latin
musculus — little mouse
Overview
Meaning Now
- A body tissue that contracts to produce movement and maintain posture.
Literal older meaning
little mouse
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → Modern English
Earliest form
musculus
Earliest period
Latin
Journey
Muscle comes through French from Latin musculus, a diminutive of mus, meaning mouse. The name likely reflected the way a small muscle can move under the skin or resemble a little animal in motion.
Evolution
- Latin
musculus
“little mouse”
- Medieval medical vocabulary
muscle
“a body part associated with movement”
- Modern English
muscle
“tissue that contracts to produce movement”
Connections
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.