GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 5 definitions

  1.       
    
    Muse , n. [From F. musse. See Muset.] A gap or hole in a hedge, hence, wall, or the like, through which a wild animal is accustomed to pass; a muset.
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    Find a hare without a muse.
    Old Prov.

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  2.       
    
    Muse, n. [F. Muse, L. Musa, Gr. . Cf. Mosaic, n., Music.]
    1. (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.
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      Granville commands; your aid, O Muses, bring:
      What Muse for Granville can refuse to sing?
      Pope.

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      ☞ 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).

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

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    3. A poet; a bard. [R.]
      Milton.

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  3.       
    
    Muse, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Mused ; p. pr. & vb. n. Musing.] [F. muser to loiter or trifle, orig., to stand with open mouth, fr. LL. musus, morsus, muzzle, snout, fr. L. morsus a biting, bite, fr. mordere to bite. See Morsel, and cf. Amuse, Muzzle, n.]
    1. To think closely; to study in silence; to meditate. “Thereon mused he.”
      Chaucer.

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      He mused upon some dangerous plot.
      Sir P. Sidney.

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    2. 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.
      Daniel.

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    3. To wonder. [Obs.]
      Spenser. B. Jonson.

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      Syn. -- To consider; meditate; ruminate. See Ponder.

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  4.       
    
    Muse, v. t.
    1. To think on; to meditate on.
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      Come, then, expressive Silence, muse his praise.
      Thomson.

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    2. To wonder at. [Obs.]
      Shak.

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  5.       
    
    Muse, n.
    1. Contemplation which abstracts the mind from passing scenes; absorbing thought; hence, absence of mind; a brown study.
      Milton.

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    2. Wonder, or admiration. [Obs.]
      Spenser.

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