Muscle — Defs

01 n. An organ which, by its contraction, produces motion.

1.
An organ which, by its contraction, produces motion.(Anat.)
2.
Muscular strength or development; as, to show one's muscle by lifting a heavy weight.[Colloq.]
3.
See Mussel.(Zool.) See: Mussel
4.
An essential part of something; as, budget cuts have gone beyond the fat and are cutting into the muscle of the government.
5.
Bodyguards or other persons hired to provide protection or commit violence; as, he doesn't go out without his muscle along.[slang]

Phrases & compounds

Muscle curve — contraction curve of a muscle; a myogram; the curve inscribed, upon a prepared surface, by means of a myograph when acted upon by a contracting muscle. The character of the curve represents the extent of the contraction.

02 v. t. To compel by threat of force; as, they muscled the shopkeeper into paying protection money.

1.
To compel by threat of force; as, they muscled the shopkeeper into paying protection money.
2.
To moved by human force; as, to muscle the piano onto the truck.