Muscle
/ˈmʌs.əl/noun
A band or bundle of fibrous tissue in the body that has the ability to contract and produce movement.
Did you know?The word 'muscle' derives from Latin, where it literally referred to the resemblance of muscles to little mice scurrying under the skin during movement, hinting at ancient beliefs about the body and spirit.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mus-
“to move quickly or to scurry, like a mouse.”
Latin
Latin
musculus
“little mouse, referring to the shape and movement of muscles.”
Old French
Old French
muscle
“a term borrowed directly from Latin, retaining the meaning of 'muscle'.”
Middle English
Middle English
muscle
“adopted from Old French, referring to the anatomical structure.”
Modern English
English
muscle
“the same anatomical reference, now universally applied in anatomy.”