muscle

The story

1. Latin · derived frommūsculus“a muscle”
2. Middle French · derived frommuscle
3. Middle English · inherited frommuscle
4. English todaymuscle

From Middle English muscle, muscule, muskylle, and in part from Middle French muscle, from Latin mūsculus (“a muscle”, literally “little mouse”) because of the mouselike appearance of some muscles, from mūs (“mouse”). Doublet of mussel. More at mouse.

Words from the same roots