Definition: Muse

Etymology 1

From Middle French muse, from Latin Mūsa, from Ancient Greek Μοῦσα or Moûsa.

Noun

muse (plural muses)

1. (of people) A source of inspiration.

   Yoko Ono was John Lennon's wife, lover, and muse.

2. (capitalized) One of the nine Ancient Greek deities of the arts.

Related terms

• musal
• museum
• music

Etymology 2

From Middle English musen, from Old French muser.

Verb

muse (third-person singular simple present muses, present participle musing, simple past and past participle mused)

1. (intransitive) To become lost in thought, to ponder.
2. (transitive) To say (something) with due consideration or thought.
3. (transitive) To think on; to meditate on.
4. (transitive) To wonder at.

Related terms

• amuse
• muser
• musing

Noun

muse (plural muses)

1. An act of musing; a period of thoughtfulness.

Etymology 3

From French musse, same origin as muset.

Noun

muse (plural muses)

1. A gap or hole in a hedge, fence, etc. through which a wild animal is accustomed to pass; a muset.

   Find a hare without a muse.

Credits

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