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n. 1. A tissue composed of fibers capable of contracting to effect bodily movement. 2. A contractile organ consisting of a special bundle of muscle tissue, which moves a particular bone, part, or substance of the body: the heart muscle; the muscles of the arm. 3. Muscular strength: enough muscle to be a high jumper. 4. Informal Power or authority: put some muscle into law enforcement. v. mus·cled, mus·cling, mus·cles v.intr. To make one's way by or as if by force: muscled into the conversation. v.tr. To move or force with strength: muscled legislation through Congress. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin mūsculus, diminutive of mūs, mouse; see mūs- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] muscly adj. |
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