muscle

Etymology

From Middle English muscle, muscule, muskylle, and in part from Middle French muscle, from Latin mūsculus (“a muscle”, literally “little mouse”) because of the mouselike appearance of some muscles, from mūs (“mouse”). Doublet of mussel. More at mouse.

noun

1. (uncountable) A contractile form of tissue which animals use to effect movement.
   Muscle consists largely of actin and myosin filaments.
2. (countable) An organ composed of muscle tissue.
3. (uncountable, usually in the plural) A well-developed physique, in which the muscles are enlarged from exercise.
   2008, Lou Schuler, "Foreward", in Nate Green, Built for Show, page xii The fact that I was middle-aged, bald, married, and raising girls instead of chasing them didn't really bother me. Muscles are cool at any age.
4. (uncountable, figurative) Strength, force.
   The lesson to be drawn from the events of 1914, to Roosevelt's mind, was that civilization needed muscle to defend it, not just solemn words. 2010, Adam Quinn, US Foreign Policy in Context, page 81
   It was going to take muscle to pluck Miss Agnes out of the canal. 2013, John D. MacDonald, The Long Lavender Look, page 15
   How can the unions - or more specifically the RMT—possibly think this is a good time to exert a bit of industrial muscle and indulge in strikes both on the national railway and the London Underground? January 12 2022, Christian Wolmar, “A new year... but the same old mistakes are being made”, in RAIL, number 948, pages 40–41
5. (uncountable, figurative) Hired strongmen or bodyguards.
   It was easy enough to dodge him, let him crash into the floorboards. Peltroc knew that his priority was the leader, not the hired muscle. 1985, Lance Parkin, The Infinity Doctors, page 34

verb

1. To use force to make progress, especially physical force.
   He muscled his way through the crowd.
   Hensel and Wilson hit a series of leg shots simultaneously as Christian muscles between them with Quinn right on his heels. 1988, Steve Holman, “Christian Conquers Columbus”, in Ironman, 47 (6): 28-34