MUSE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Muse

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noun

Muse n. A gap or hole in a hedge, hence, wall, or the like, through which a wild animal is accustomed to pass; a muset. "Find a hare without a muse."

Muse n.

(Class. Myth.) One of the nine goddesses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who presided over song and the different kinds of poetry, and also the arts and sciences; often used in the plural. At one time certain other goddesses were considered as muses. "Granville commands; your aid, O Muses, bring: What Muse for Granville can refuse to sing?" Note: The names of the Muses and the arts they presided over were: Calliope (Epic poetry), Clio (History), Erato (Lyric poetry), Euterpe (music), Melpomene (Tragedy), Polymnia or Polyhymnia (religious music), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy), and Urania (astronomy).

A particular power and practice of poetry; the inspirational genius of a poet.

A poet; a bard. (R.)

Muse n.

Contemplation which abstracts the mind from passing scenes; absorbing thought; hence, absence of mind; a brown study.

Wonder, or admiration. (Obs.)

verb

Muse v. t.

To think on; to meditate on. "Come, then, expressive Silence, muse his praise."

To wonder at. (Obs.)

Muse v. i. (past & past part. mused; pres. part. musing)

To think closely; to study in silence; to meditate. "Thereon mused he." "He mused upon some dangerous plot."

To be absent in mind; to be so occupied in study or contemplation as not to observe passing scenes or things present; to be in a brown study.

To wonder. (Obs.)

Synonyms: To consider; meditate; ruminate. See Ponder.

See images of 'Muse'

Etymology of 'Muse'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Muse" Quotes from Famous Books

... seen that the conditions on the frontier rendered war inevitable, and he accordingly made ready for the future by preparing his brother for the career of a soldier, so far as it could be done. He brought to Mount Vernon two old companions-in-arms of the Carthagena time, Adjutant Muse, a Virginian, and Jacob Van Braam, a Dutch soldier of fortune. The former instructed Washington in the art of war, tactics, and the manual of arms, the latter in fencing and the sword exercise. At the same time Lawrence Washington procured for his brother, then only ...

— George Washington, Vol. I • Henry Cabot Lodge

... play the dark for both and say Amen. Nay, muse not, madam: tis no sencelesse Image, But the true essence ...

— A Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. III • Various

... bitter, bitterrer than Gall Physicians say are always physical: Now Women's Tongues if into Powder beaten, May in a Potion or a Pill be eaten, And as there's nought more bitter, I do muse, That Women's Tongues in Physick they ne'er use. My self and others who lead restless Lives, Would spare that bitter Member of ...

— Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin • Benjamin Franklin

... so," Vashti nodded. "I dare say now," she went on, after seeming to muse for a moment, "you are one of those strong-minded men who find it hard to understand how sensible people can worry over what ...

— Major Vigoureux • A. T. Quiller-Couch

... may be offended by the "barbarous adjunct of rhyme," and by the solecisms and false quantities which sometimes occur, "et alia multa damna atque outragia," others may be amused with these emulations of the cloistered muse of the Middle Ages. The witty author of Whistlecraft has shown that he had a true relish for them, and has successfully tried his hand, ...

— Notes and Queries, Number 82, May 24, 1851 • Various

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