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

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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.