Muse — Defs

01 n. A gap or hole in a hedge, hence, wall, or the like, through which a wild animal is accustomed to pass; a muset.

1.
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.” — Old Prov.

02 n. 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…

1.
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.(Class. Myth.)
“Granville commands; your aid, O Muses, bring: What Muse for Granville can refuse to sing?” — Pope.
2.
A particular power and practice of poetry; the inspirational genius of a poet.
3.
A poet; a bard.[R.]

03 v. i. To think closely; to study in silence; to meditate.

imp. & p. p. Mused; p. pr. & vb. n. Musing

1.
To think closely; to study in silence; to meditate.
“He mused upon some dangerous plot.” — Sir P. Sidney.
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.
3.
To wonder.[Obs.]

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

04 v. t. To think on; to meditate on.

1.
To think on; to meditate on.
“Come, then, expressive Silence, muse his praise.” — Thomson.
2.
To wonder at.[Obs.]

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

1.
Contemplation which abstracts the mind from passing scenes; absorbing thought; hence, absence of mind; a brown study.
2.
Wonder, or admiration.[Obs.]