■ noun
1》 a band of fibrous tissue in the body that has the ability to contract, producing movement in or maintaining the position of a part of the body.
2》 physical power.
↘political or economic power.
■ verb informal
1》 ( ~ in/into ) force one's way into (another's affairs).
2》 chiefly N. Amer. move (an object) by use of physical strength.
Derivatives
-~d adjective
~less adjective
muscly adjective ( musclier , muscliest ).
Origin
ME: from Fr., from L. musculus , dimin. of mus 'mouse' (some ~s being thought to be mouse-like in form).