A muscle is a body tissue that can tighten and relax to produce movement or maintain posture. The word can also mean physical strength or power, especially when used to influence others.
From Latin *musculus* “little mouse,” a diminutive of *mus* “mouse,” because moving muscles under the skin were thought to look like mice running. The word came into English through French in medical and anatomical contexts.
Your muscles are literally named “little mice,” because ancient observers thought they saw tiny mice moving under the skin. The idea stuck so strongly that the scientific term just kept the metaphor. So every time you flex, you’re technically showing off your mice.
'Muscle' has been central to gendered ideas of strength, with muscularity culturally coded as masculine and women's muscular bodies often stigmatized or sexualized. Fitness and labor discourses historically downplayed women's physical strength and contributions.
Avoid equating 'muscle' or strength with masculinity; acknowledge people of all genders as capable of physical strength and training.
["strength","physical power","force"]
Women athletes, laborers, and soldiers have consistently demonstrated high levels of muscular strength, challenging stereotypes that confined them to 'delicate' or purely domestic roles.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.