musen.1
/mjuːz/, U.S. /mjuz/ 1. Classical Mythology. (Now usually in form Muse.)† d. A woman regarded as embodying a Muse. Obsolete. rare.
a. Each of the nine goddesses regarded as presiding over and inspiring learning and the arts, esp. poetry and music.The Muses were the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (Memory) and normally held to be nine in number. However, in Greek antiquity there were other accounts both as to the number of the Muses and their parentage. The names of the nine appear first in Hesiod who states that Calliope is the chief among them. Later mythologists assigned to each a particular class of functions. These have become clearly defined in modern allusive use, where Clio is the Muse of history, Thalia of comedy, Melpomene of tragedy, Euterpe of music, and Terpsichore of dancing; but they were originally less definitely limited. The other names Erato, Polyhymnia, Urania, and Calliope, appear less frequently in English literature, since they have for most readers no well-known association with any particular branch of the arts. Urania (lit. ‘the heavenly’, in formal lists the Muse of astronomy) is invoked by Milton ( Paradise Lost vii), who explains that he means not the pagan goddess of mythology but a Christian celestial source of inspiration (see quot. 1667).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > classical deity > [noun] > the Muses > one of
musec1390
musie1566
the tenth Muse1609
Thalia1656
Terpsichore1710
c1390 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 92 Me were looth be likned..To Muses that man clepe Pierides.
c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer House of Fame 1399 So song the myghty Muse, she That cleped ys Caliope.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 2113 Þe muses [a1500 Trin. Dub. musys] of musike.
a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Vitell.) 170 (MED) I ha ne with me no muse, Noon of the nyne that on Parnase duelle.
1539 R. Taverner tr. Erasmus Prouerbes sig. B.ivv The doores of the muses be without enuye, that is to saye, learned persons ought frely..admytte other unto them that desyre to be taught.
?1553 (c1501) G. Douglas Palice of Honour (London) ii. l. 1137 in Shorter Poems (1967) 74 Besyde that cristall strand..Alychtit doun thir musis clere of hew.
1597 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 97 Mair sweitlie..Nor muisses [v.r. mwssis] that vses at fountaine Helicon.
1620 T. Middleton Courtly Masque Prol. sig. B The Muse of Historie hath caught your eyes, And she chaunts the pastor all Psalteries.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. 57 Mount Pindus, celebrate to Apollo and the Muses.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 6 Thou [sc. Urania] Nor of the Muses nine, nor on the top Of old Olympus dwell'st, but Heav'nlie borne,..Thou with Eternal wisdom didst converse, Wisdom thy Sister, and with her didst play In presence of th'Almightie Father. View more context for this quotation
1714 Spectator No. 632. ⁋ 1 Herodotus has in the same manner adapted his Books to the Number of the Muses.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. ii. vi. 125 If the Historic-Muse hath entrusted me with any Secrets, I will by no means be guilty of discovering them till she shall give me leave. View more context for this quotation
1803 T. Campbell Stanzas to Painting 7 I bless thee, Promethean muse! And call thee brightest of the Nine.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess ii. 43 I learnt more from her in a flash, Than if my brainpan were an empty hull, And every Muse tumbled a science in.
1885 R. Bridges Eros & Psyche vii. ii. 79 Was the contest waged What day the Sirens with the Muses strove.
1925 J. L. May tr. Ovid Art of Love iii, in Love Bks. 164 Hear my prayers, O Phœbus,..and you, ye Muses, divine protectresses of poets.
1956 A. Wilson Anglo-Saxon Attitudes i. i. 11 It's so seldom that Clio can aid the other muses, isn't it?
2008 V. Hart Sir John Vanbrugh vii. 188/2 The rear facade has..a bowed bay with giant Corinthian pilasters and female statues, possibly representing the Muses, on the parapet.
b. Chiefly poetic. Usually with the. The inspiration of poetry or song, invoked as if being the only Muse.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > [noun] > poetic inspiration
muse?a1425
caballine fountain1430
Helicona1529
Castalia1591
enthusiasm1593
fire1656
duende1956
?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iii. met. xi. 47 The Muse and the doctrine of Plato syngeth soth.
1563 L. Blundeston in B. Googe Eglogs Epytaphes & Sonettes Pref. sig. B.iii Yf the Muse Be sotted so with this graue Study.
a1631 J. Donne Satires ii. 61 When sicke with Poetrie, and possest with muse.
1645 J. Milton On Christ's Nativity: Hymn iii, in Poems 2 Say Heav'nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein Afford a present to the Infant God?
1714 T. Tickell Spectator No. 620 Whom shall the Muse from out the shining Throng Select to heighten and adorn her Song?
1842 Ld. Tennyson Will Waterproof's Monologue in Poems (new ed.) II. 182 No vain libation to the Muse, But may she still be kind.
1987 E. Rhode Birth & Sadness 21 Coleridge experienced the birth of his first son as though it were a visitation of the muse—not as catastrophe but as inspiration.
2000 P. E. Phillips John Milton's Epic Invoc. 118 The proem like the rest of the narrative seems to take for granted the Muse's continuing role as Milton's source of poetic inspiration.
c. A Muse as represented in painting or sculpture.
ΚΠ
1561 in T. Thomson Coll. Inventories Royal Wardrobe (1815) 130 Item, twa paintit broddis the ane of the muses and the uther of crotescque or conceptis.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxix. 189 The nyne Muses..painted vpon the wall..would serue him for places of memorie, or for hieroglyphicall partitions.
1611 T. Coryate Crudities sig. E6v Pictures made in oyleworke vpon wainscot, wherein..the nine Muses are excellently painted.
1685 J. Dryden Albion & Albanius (frontispiece) sig. (c) On the sweep of the Arch lies one of the Muses.
1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. II. 242 The two Muses, under one of which is the word Vrania, are good pieces.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess ii. 24 The Muses and the Graces, group'd in threes, Enring'd a billowing fountain in the midst.
1881 H. James Portrait of Lady II. x. 131 The ceiling was deeply vaulted and painted over with naked muses and cherubs.
1991 Jrnl. Hist. of Collections 3 258/1 Duncan's nine muses occupied the hemicycle or great niche (long ago demolished) opposite the main portico entrance.
ΚΠ
a1695 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses (1721) II. 1036 Dr. Killigrew had a Daughter named Anne, a Grace for Beauty, and a Muse for Wit.
1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 31 Now gently put her [sc. a hound] off; see how direct To her known Muse she flies!
2. allusively.
a. The inspiring goddess of a particular poet; (hence) a poet's particular genius, the character of a particular poet's style. Also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > the arts in general > [noun] > Muse
musea1393
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > [noun] > Muse, god, or genius of poetry
musea1393
Phoebus1577
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > poet > [noun] > character of a poet
musea1393
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) viii. 3140 (MED) My muse..seith it schal be for my beste..That y nomore of love make.
c1450 (c1393) G. Chaucer Scogan 38 Ne thynke I never of slep to wake my muse, That rusteth in my shethe stille in pees.
1576 G. Gascoigne Steele Glas (1868) 53 As though my muze were mute and durst not sing.
1592 T. Nashe Strange Newes sig. D4v Plucking Elderton out of the ashes of his Ale, and not letting him inioy his nappie muse of ballad making.
1673 J. Milton At Vacation Exercise in Poems (new ed.) 66 But fie my wandring Muse how thou dost stray!
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest II. vii. 159 The Biographer..now deems it a fitting occasion to call upon his Muse to set forth the sufferings of the innocent.
1933 D. Thomas Let. 15 Oct. (1985) 28 His muse is never drunk enough to be really emotional.
1992 Face May 34/1 Most British designers have responded to the recession by..taking the advice of their bank managers rather than their muses, resulting in very safe collections.
b. the Muses: the liberal arts; polite literature, belles-lettres.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > [noun]
writing1340
scripturea1382
scripturea1382
scrowsa1513
stuff1542
the republic of letters1677
belles-lettres1710
literature1711
the Muses1838
lit.1850
letters1916
1582 R. Mulcaster 1st Pt. Elementarie xiii. 81 War..be opposit to learning, bycause it is enemie to the Muses.
1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) ii. §3 It is not mere zeal to learning, or devotion to the Muses, that wiser princes patron the arts. View more context for this quotation
a1662 T. Craufurd Hist. Univ. Edinb. (1808) 77 In bestowing upon the Colledge an honest residence for the Muses.
1705 J. Dunton Life & Errors iv. 247 Mr. Ames..had always some Yammerings upon him after Learning and the Muses.
1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. x. 270 The barbarians became masters of the native seat of the muses and the arts.
1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) II. xi. 58 The leisure of his retirement from public life was to the last devoted to the muses.
1885 R. L. Stevenson & F. Stevenson Epil. of Cigar Divan in More New Arabian Nights 199 ‘One moment, till I finish the octave of my sonnet..’ And with a friendly waggle of the hand, he once more buried himself in the commerce of the Muses.
1994 Aquinas Rev. 1 54 But high hope of fame has struck my heart with its sharp goad and in so doing has implanted in my breast the sweet love of the Muses.
c. A person (often a female lover) or thing regarded as the source of an artist's inspiration; the presiding spirit or force behind any person or creative act.
ΚΠ
1592 Arden of Feversham i. 258 P 6 I, Loue is the Painters Muse, That makes him frame a speaking countenaunce.
1786 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 173 O thou, my Muse! guid, auld Scotch Drink!
1807 J. Barlow Columbiad i. 22 Almighty Freedom!.. I bend no suppliant knee, Invoke no miracle, no Muse but thee.
1849 H. D. Thoreau Week Concord & Merrimack Rivers 3 Though now thou climbest loftier mounts, And fairer rivers dost ascend, Be thou my Muse, my Brother.
1877 W. F. Barry New Antigone II. xxii. 170 ‘Don't you feel inspired when I am here to be your muse of painting?’ she asked with her bewitching smile.
1878 H. James Watch & Ward iii. 40 The muse of observation for him was the little girl at home... It was for her sake that he collected impressions and laid up treasure.
a1909 A. Anderson To Eng. Girl in Later Poems (1912) 280 My muse must be thy blooming youth.
1954 C. Beaton Glass of Fashion viii. 156 As a muse, she has been indirectly responsible for much of her husband's best work; but she is equally creative in her own right.
1994 Time 4 July 68/1 He was..married to one of the greediest harpies in Europe: Gala, who made him the indentured servant of his lost talent even as he treated her as his muse.
d. figurative (in later use chiefly humorous). the tenth Muse: a person or thing considered to be a source of inspiration comparable to one of the Muses of mythology.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > classical deity > [noun] > the Muses > one of
musec1390
musie1566
the tenth Muse1609
Thalia1656
Terpsichore1710
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > inventive or creative faculty > creative genius > [noun] > the muses > plus inspiration
the tenth Muse1609
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xxxviii. sig. E4v Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth Than those old nine which rimers inuocate. View more context for this quotation
1627 W. Hawkins Apollo Shroving ii. iii. 32 This Hedone, better then Lesbian Sappho, might pretend to be the tenth Muse.
1650 A. Bradstreet (title) The tenth Muse lately sprung up in America, or Severall poems, compiled with great variety of wit and learning.
1697 T. D'Urfey Intrigues at Versailles iv. ii. 44 I believe sweet Sister Sterling, yours is a tenth Muse and of Male-kind, who teaches you so well.
1767 G. Colman Eng. Merchant i. 6 A bel esprit forsooth! and as vain of her beauty as learning, without any great portion of either. A fourth Grace, and a tenth Muse!
1855 A. Trollope Warden xiv. 220 It was here that Tom Towers lived, and cultivated with eminent success the tenth Muse who now governs the periodical press.
1885 E. C. Stedman Meridian in Poet. Wks. 343 For them a tenth Muse, Beauty, here and there Has touched the landmarks, making all more fair.
1962 R. Lowell Tenth Muse in Kenyon Rev. 24 Autumn 626 Tenth Muse, Oh my heart-felt Sloth, how often now you come to my bed.
1973 Guardian 29 June 15/4 Poet confronts poet..they ‘talked shop like a tenth muse’.
e. Chiefly poetic and literary. With the. Poetry personified; (with distinguishing word) the poetry of a particular place, period, etc.Frequently in the titles of collections of poetry.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > [noun]
metrea1375
poesyc1390
Parnassusc1395
poetryc1395
versea1400
remailea1425
poesis1565
poetry1580
muse1651
1651 C. Barksdale (title) Nympha libethris: or the Cotswold muse, presenting some extempore verses to the imitation of yong scholars.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero (1742) III. xii. 318 It was in Cicero's time, that the old rusticity of the Latin muse first began to be polished.
1806 Pye Ode for New Year in Times 18 Jan. Weak is the loudest lay the Muse can sing, His deeds of valour to record.
1821 J. Ritson (title) The Caledonian muse; a chronological selection of Scotish poetry.
1869 G. Meredith Let. 19 Dec. (1970) I. 407 Why, this stuff [sc. Tennyson's The Holy Grail] is not the Muse, it's Musery.
1936 F. W. Ziv (title) The valiant muse. An anthology of poems by poets killed in the World War.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > a song > [noun]
songeOE
leothOE
galec1200
rounc1225
laya1240
gammec1425
muse1528
cantion1579
madrigal1589
canzon1590
canzone1590
canton1594
canto1603
cantilene1635
cantilena1740
Lied1852
art song1875
canzonetta1947
?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. i. pr. v. 72 In the lattre eende of thy wode muse, thow preydest that thilke pees that governeth the hevene schulde governe the erthe.
a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Vitell.) 14304 (MED) Bombardys and cornemusys, Thys ffloutys ek, with sotyl musys, And thys shallys loude crye.
1528 J. Skelton Honorificatissimo: Replycacion agaynst Yong Scolers sig. Biiv For all his armony In metricall muses.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > poet > [noun]
versifierc1340
poeta1382
metrera1387
sayer?a1400
makerc1460
metrician?a1475
metrist?1545
singer1560
swannetc1560
songster1584
muse1596
Castalianist1607
metre-maker1611
versificator1611
swan1613
versemaker1647
verseman1652
Parnassian1658
bard1667
factist1676
poetic1687
minstrel1718
shaper1816
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. xi. sig. L3 With many a gentle Muse, and many a learned wit. View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xxi. sig. C So is it not with me as with that Muse, Stird by a painted beauty to his verse. View more context for this quotation
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 4 That memorable Sea-battle [at Lepanto]..sung by a crowned Muse [sc. James I of England].
1638 J. Milton Lycidas in Obsequies 20 in Justa Edouardo King So may some gentle Muse With lucky words favour my destin'd urn.
1744 M. Akenside Pleasures Imagination ii. 15 Long immured In noon-tide darkness by the glimmering lamp, Each Muse and each fair Science pined away The sordid hours.
1751 T. Gray Elegy xxi. 9 Their name, their years, spelt by th'unletter'd Muse, The place of fame and elegy supply.
1803 H. K. White Clifton Grove Ded. The following trifling effusions of a very youthful muse.
1905 Athenæum 19 Aug. 233/2 The stately mansion built by that attenuated but majestic muse Mrs. Montagu.
Compounds
C1. † muse-man n. Obsolete rare† muse-monger n. Obsolete† muse-sucker n. Obsolete rare
ΚΠ
1624 A. Holland in J. Davies Scourge Paper-Persecutors 2 Each driueling Lozel now..Starts vp a sudden Muse~man, and streight throws A Packe of Epigrams into the light.
ΚΠ
1608 J. Day Humour out of Breath sig. A2 The Iron-pated Muse-mongers about the towne.
1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew i. sig. C4v What City or Court Poet could say more then our hedge Muse-monger here?
ΚΠ
1604 T. Middleton Ant & Nightingale Ded. sig. A3v You neuer giue the poore Muse-suckers a peny.
C2. † muse-bit adj. Obsolete rare† muse-descended adj. Obsolete rare† muse-discovered adj. Obsolete rare (poetic)† muse-led adj. Obsolete† muse-loved adj. poetic Obsolete† muse-rid adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1770 J. Armstrong Sentences in Misc. II. 274 A muse-bit blockhead.
ΚΠ
1749 G. West tr. Pindar Odes (1753) I. 53 The Muse-descended Song [Gk. Μοισαίων μελέων].
ΚΠ
1656 A. Cowley Second Olympian Ode in Pindaric Odes vii The Muse-discovered World of Islands Fortunate.
1886 W. Alexander St. Augustine's Holiday 54 Whate'er of state Or thought, or work, or worship, was within That muse-discovered island fortunate.
muse-haunted adj.
ΚΠ
1632 G. Sandys tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) ii. 46 The Mountaines blaze: High Athos, but too high; Fount-fruitfull Ida, neuer till then drie;..Muse-haunted Helicon [L. virgineus Helicon], [etc.].
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxi. 27 Leave the Thespian hollow-arch'd Rock, muse-haunted, Aonian.
1991 Washington Post x1 Several of Burgess's other novels are, each in its way, just as inventive: the Muse-haunted tales of the poet Enderby, the Shakespearian fantasy Nothing Like the Sun, [etc.].
muse-inspired adj.
ΚΠ
1660 E. Waller To King, upon Happy Return 117 The Muse-inspired train Triumph, and raise their drooping heads again.
a1859 W. Watt Poems & Songs (1860) 27 The muse-inspired bard dare scarce Lilt owre a lay in Scottish verse.
1993 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 5 Dec. vii. 11/1 As for his rhymes, most clunk along unsurprisingly (like ‘house’ and ‘mouse’), but a few sound Muse-inspired.
ΚΠ
a1750 A. Hill Dial. between Damon & Philemon in Wks. (1753) III. 270 If sparkling genius does thy fancy fill, In muse-led stages, try thy journeying skill.
1759 W. Mason Caractacus To Mr Hurd p. v Oft my Muse-led steps did'st thou behold.
ΚΠ
1776 W. Thompson Countess of Pomfret 7 Wither'd each flow'r of oliv'd Academe, And poison'd sweet Ilyssus' Muse-lov'd stream.
1848 W. Wallace in R. B. Sheridan Critic Prol. 'Tis Spain—the land where oft, enthroned sublime, Shone muse-loved chivalry in olden time!
1884 A. T. de Vere Acropolis of Athens in Poet. Wks. I. 68 All ye who seek the famed Acropolis, First bathe in old Ilyssus, Muse-loved stream.
ΚΠ
1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 21 No meagre, muse-rid mope, adust and thin.
a1763 W. Shenstone Oeconomy iii, in Wks. Verse & Prose (1764) I. 305 Pale, meagre, muse-rid wight! who reads in vain Narcotic volumes o'er.
1871 Atlantic Monthly 27 284 Euripides and Milton both had been unhappy in their domestic relations. Both were muse-rid mopes.
muse-ridden adj.
ΚΠ
1697 J. Collier Ess. Moral Subj. (ed. 2) ii. Ep. Ded. sig. A4v To be Muse-ridden at this rate is somewhat hard.
2000 Independent (Nexis) 20 May (Features) He was muse-ridden—not by a particular muse, but simply and entirely by Woman.
Derivatives
ˈmuse-like adj.
ΚΠ
1710 Ld. Shaftesbury Soliloquy 158 They wou'd..add their Graces and attractive Charms to what is most Harmonious, Muse-like, and Divine in human Life.
1892 Harper's Mag. Apr. 840 As she read in her wonderful Muse-like way, she paused.
1990 Nat. World Spring–Summer 17 (advt.) Flute, guitars and muse-like angelic choirs translate that experience into an unforgettable affirmation for a Peaceful Planet.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† musen.2
Obsolete. rare.
1. A bagpipe. Cf. musette n. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > wind instrument > pipe > [noun] > bagpipe
bagc1275
stivec1290
cornemusec1384
musettea1393
bagpipec1405
pair1422
pipec1450
muse1484
drone1502
lilt-pipea1525
great pipe1592
miskin1593
Highland pipe1599
small-pipes1656
piffero1724
Highland bagpipe1728
zampogna1740
union pipes1788
Lowland pipes1794
pibroch1807
piob mhor1838
gaita1846
sack pipe1889
set1893
biniou1902
uillean pipes1906
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope vi. vii Whanne I pyped and played of my muse or bag pype ye dayned ne wold not daunse.
2. The chanter of a bagpipe. Cf. musette n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > wind instrument > pipe > [noun] > bagpipe > chanter
chanter1615
treble1682
muse1782
stick1861
1782 C. Burney Gen. Hist. Music II. 270 (note) The Muse is the muzzle or tube of a bag-pipe, without the bellows.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
musen.3
/mjuːz/, U.S. /mjuz/ 1. An act or period of musing; a spell of thoughtfulness or reflection. Also (rare) as a mass noun: profound meditation or abstraction; musing. †in one's muses: in a state of abstraction (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > [noun]
thoughta1387
consideration1388
contemplationc1390
meditationa1393
musinga1393
speculationa1450
studier1472
musea1500
recollection1576
contemplature1580
rumination1585
contemplating1587
amuse1606
meditating1609
theory1611
meditancea1625
amusement1694
cogitabundation1729
cogibundity1734
cogitabundity1744
think1834
recueillement1845
thunk1922
noodling1942
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > [noun] > act(s) of
thinkingsa1225
meditationa1393
contemplationa1400
musing?a1430
reverie1477
musea1500
rumination1622
walking meditation1756
reckon1902
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > abstraction, absent-mindedness > [adjective]
in one's musesa1500
abstract1509
abstracteda1586
absent1631
thoughtful1656
vacant1680
lost in thought1681
withdrawn1713
dreamy1794
dun1797
preoccupied1801
absent-minded1824
pebble-beached1890
a1500 Partenay (Trin. Cambr.) 3431 In pensif muses hym faste beseying, He rest noght to ryde, so to Maillers cam.
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Cogitatio To be in a deepe muse.
1578 J. Banister Hist. Man iv. f. 54v When a man by earnest study or muse vnto him selfe, vpon any earnest or waighty matter.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. v. sig. Q7v In this depth of muzes, and diuers sorts of discourses, would she haue rauingly remained, but that [etc.].
1605 B. Jonson Sejanus i. sig. B4v Yo'are in a muse, Eudemus? View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 52 He..was fill'd With admiration, and deep Muse to heare Of things so high and strange. View more context for this quotation
1701 J. Norris Ess. Ideal World I. ii. 73 Such a profound muse as when we are said to think upon nothing.
a1713 T. Ellwood Hist. Life (1714) 234 He made me no Answer, but sate some time in a Muse.
1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins II. xxi. 270 Sir, says I, after a seeming Muse for some time, what should you think of Oniwheske [for a wife]?
1814 J. Edwards in W. Wordsworth Excursion 438 Pensive, as though like me, in lonely muse, 'Twere brooding on the Dead inhum'd beneath.
1871 R. Browning Balaustion 165 Where she dwells Forever in a muse.
1889 R. L. Stevenson Master of Ballantrae ii. 19 He would fall into a deep muse over our accounts.
1919 J. Buchan Mr. Standfast vi. 124 I was in a pleasant muse as I breasted the hill.
1991 P. Levine What Work Is iv. 70 I call it quits for the day, having earned the rituals—the long bath, the shave,..the afternoon muse.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > confused, at a loss [phrase]
at one's wit's end (occasionally ends)1377
seek1390
will of wane (also wone)a1400
will of redea1425
on wild1477
to be at a muse1548
at a loss1592
at a stopa1626
in a fog?c1640
in a wood1659
at a wit-standa1670
at sea1768
at fault1833
far to find, seek1879
1548 W. Patten Exped. Scotl. Pref. sig. a.iiii I haue bene often at a great muse with my selfe, whither the kynges Maiestie [etc.].
1627 Let. 13 July in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times Charles I (1848) (modernized text) I. 251 For the duke and our fleet, we are now all at a muse what should become of them.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† musen.4
Obsolete.
The fruit of a plantain or banana plant; a plant yielding such fruit (also muse tree).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular types of fruit > [noun] > tropical exotic fruit > banana
finger?a1425
muse1578
fig1582
banana1597
adam's figc1602
pisang1662
pisang fig1700
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball vi. xxxviii. 704 Of Musa or Mose tree. The Mose tree leaues be so great and large, that one may easyly wrap a childe..in them.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xvi. f. 17 b Apples of paradice, which they call muses [Fr. muses].
1588 T. Hickock tr. C. Federici Voy. & Trauaile f. 18 Laden with fruite, as with Mouces [It. muse] which we call Adams apples. [margin] The Mowsies is a kind of fruite growing in clusters and are 5 or 6 inches long a peece.
c1602 J. Sanderson in S. Purchas Pilgrimes (1625) II. 1617 At Damiatta..are great gardens, full of Adams figs,..these are also called Mouses.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
† musen.5
Scottish. Obsolete.
A room, or part of a room, used for study or meditation; a study, a carrel. Cf. museum n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > artefacts > monastic property (general) > monastery or convent > parts of monastery > [noun] > cloister > enclosure or study within
carol1419
carrelc1593
musec1650
c1650 in C. Innes Sketches Early Sc. Hist. (1861) 452 That chamber..with the studie or musee belonging thereto.
1658 in W. Cramond Extracts Rec. Synod of Moray 123 For containeing two private schooles with eight chambers and ane muse in each of them.
1664 in H. Rose & L. Shaw Geneal. Deduction Family Rose of Kilravock (1848) 361 The studie or muse..lyand contigue to the samen chamber.
1683 in T. Mair Rec. Parish of Ellon (1876) 226 Ane fixed studie or muse, walls thereof lyned with joyned daills and cylled above with deals.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
musev.
/mjuːz/, U.S. /mjuz/ 1. † c. transitive. To ponder over, reflect upon; to contemplate, meditate on (a thing). Obsolete.† d. In proverbial phrase. to muse as one uses: to impute to others one's own vices, weaknesses, etc. Obsolete.† e. transitive (reflexive). To bring oneself to a particular state of mind by musing. Obsolete. rare.
a. intransitive. To be absorbed in thought; to meditate in silence; to ponder. Usually with about, †in, of, on, over, upon.In early use occasionally with infinitive of purpose.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > meditate, reflect [verb (intransitive)]
howOE
study?c1225
bethinkc1300
muse1340
recorda1400
imaginec1400
to take thoughtc1450
contemplaire1474
medite1483
remord1535
contemplate?1538
ruminate1547
meditate1560
scance1606
excogitate1630
cogitate1633
reflect1772
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 104 (MED) Ich þe rede wel þet þou ne musy naȝt to moche hit uor to zeche.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iv. 2385 That other tok to studie and muse.
c1400 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Trin. Cambr. R.3.14) (1960) A. xi. 138 Þe more I muse [v.rr. mouse, musid; studie] þeron þe mistlokere it [sc. Theology] semiþ.
c1460 (a1449) J. Lydgate Legend St. Austin (Harl. 2255) l. 257 in Minor Poems (1911) i. 201 (MED) Austyn gan muse in his oppynyoun, To fynde a mene the sowle for to save.
c1480 (a1400) St. Katherine 111 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 445 Þu suld moyse here & merwall, of hewine & erth.
1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) xliii. 162 He was musyng vpon þe werke.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos xxxvii. 126 Whan kynge Latyne hadde mused a lytyll in hym selfe he ansuered.
a1500 tr. La Belle Dame sans Mercy (Cambr.) 202 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 87 (MED) He mused sore, to conquere his desire.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xxxviii. 3 Whyle I was thus musynge, the fyre kyndled.
1597 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 229 Sumtyme I sicht quhill I was sad, sumtyme I muissit [L. musit] and maist gane mad.
1634 W. Tirwhyt tr. J. L. G. de Balzac Lett. 400 If I muse but two houres on the bankes of the Tyber, I am as understanding as if I had studied eight days.
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress (ed. 2) 34 I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelist happily met me again as I was musing in the midst of my dumps.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. iii. i. 156 Alciphron having mused a while answered [etc.].
1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 376 And cultivate a taste for ancient song, Catching its ardour as I mus'd along.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague ii. ii. 169 The sorrowful Still love to muse on all distressful things.
1833 H. Martineau Berkeley the Banker i. i Her father paused to muse.
1895 T. Hardy Jude iii. vi. 200 At first sight there seemed in these small documents..absolutely nothing to muse over.
1906 Outlook 14 July 42/2 In Imperial politics he decided..while other men were musing and hesitating.
1956 R. Macaulay Towers of Trebizond x. 106 I went on musing about why it was thought better and higher to love one's country than one's county.
1998 T. Clancy Rainbow Six xxviii. 483 He occasionally mused about going another two years for his Ph.D.
b. transitive. With interrogative clause as object: to ponder, reflect.Now merged in sense 3c.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > consider, deliberate [verb (transitive)]
i-thenchec897
showeOE
i-mune971
thinkOE
overthinkOE
takec1175
umbethinkc1175
waltc1200
bethinkc1220
wend?c1225
weighc1380
delivera1382
peisea1382
considerc1385
musec1390
to look over ——a1393
advise?c1400
debatec1400
roll?c1400
revert?a1425
advertc1425
deliberc1425
movec1425
musec1425
revolvec1425
contemplec1429
overseec1440
to think overc1440
perpend1447
roil1447
pondera1450
to eat inc1450
involvec1470
ponderate?a1475
reputec1475
counterpoise1477
poisea1483
traversec1487
umbecast1487
digest1488
undercast1489
overhalec1500
rumble1519
volve?1520
compassa1522
recount1526
trutinate1528
cast1530
expend1531
ruminate1533
concoct1534
contemplate1538
deliberate1540
revolute1553
chawa1558
to turn over1568
cud1569
cogitate1570
huik1570
chew1579
meditatec1580
discourse1581
speculate1599
theorize1599
scance1603
verse1614
pensitate1623
agitate1629
spell1633
view1637
study1659
designa1676
introspect1683
troll1685
balance1692
to figure on or upon1837
reflect1862
mull1873
to mull over1874
scour1882
mill1905
c1390 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 1033 Theron mused he If that the childes moder were aught she.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. 3091 This king began to..muse, What strange matiere he myhte use The knyhtes wittes to confounde.
c1475 (c1450) P. Idley Instr. to his Son (Cambr.) (1935) ii. B. 276 How she might be fresshe she gretly mused, And specially on hir heed, alove [read above] any woman.
a1555 N. Ridley in N. Ridley & H. Latimer Certein Conf. (1556) sig. Ev I haue begonne..to muse with my selfe, howe the dartes of the olde enemie maie be borne of.
a1713 T. Ellwood Hist. Life (1714) 21 I..stood..musing with my self what Course to take.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > consider, deliberate [verb (transitive)]
i-thenchec897
showeOE
i-mune971
thinkOE
overthinkOE
takec1175
umbethinkc1175
waltc1200
bethinkc1220
wend?c1225
weighc1380
delivera1382
peisea1382
considerc1385
musec1390
to look over ——a1393
advise?c1400
debatec1400
roll?c1400
revert?a1425
advertc1425
deliberc1425
movec1425
musec1425
revolvec1425
contemplec1429
overseec1440
to think overc1440
perpend1447
roil1447
pondera1450
to eat inc1450
involvec1470
ponderate?a1475
reputec1475
counterpoise1477
poisea1483
traversec1487
umbecast1487
digest1488
undercast1489
overhalec1500
rumble1519
volve?1520
compassa1522
recount1526
trutinate1528
cast1530
expend1531
ruminate1533
concoct1534
contemplate1538
deliberate1540
revolute1553
chawa1558
to turn over1568
cud1569
cogitate1570
huik1570
chew1579
meditatec1580
discourse1581
speculate1599
theorize1599
scance1603
verse1614
pensitate1623
agitate1629
spell1633
view1637
study1659
designa1676
introspect1683
troll1685
balance1692
to figure on or upon1837
reflect1862
mull1873
to mull over1874
scour1882
mill1905
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) v. 2192 (MED) Who-so he be þat in his hert museth Of any womman any þing but good..Lat hym..remembre on Penolope.
J. Metham Amoryus & Cleopes (1916) 1713 (MED) Ys this the loue that we haue musyd so offt?
c1535 Ploughman's Tale i. sig. A.iiv He mused his mater in measure.
1578 J. Rolland Seuin Seages 44 The Emprice Signifyis Sathan, Quhilk euer oppin malice musit.
1600 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) II. 253 Ane uther questioun, I ken, wilbe muisit. Sum will say, ‘Sall we trew [etc.]?’
1724 A. Ramsay Vision in Ever Green I. i I wandert waif and wae, Musand our main mischaunce.
1730 J. Thomson Hymn on Seasons in Seasons 237 Come then, expressive Silence, muse his praise.
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. ii. i. 77 The poet was absent, for he was musing a sonnet.
1838 E. B. Barrett Romaunt of Page in Tait's Edinb. Mag. Nov. 683/1 His large eyes seemed to muse a smile.
1878 B. Taylor Prince Deukalion i. iii What musest thou?
1920 D. H. Lawrence Women in Love viii. 104 In the silence Birkin could feel Gerald musing this fact.
ΚΠ
1684 G. Meriton Praise Yorks. Ale 651 You meause, wife, as ye use, Ise neay sike man.
1684 G. Meriton Praise Yorks. Ale Gloss. Meause as you use, when one judgeth another according to their own doings.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew at Corn He measures my Corn by his own Bushel, he muses as he uses, he thinks me Bad because he is so himself.
ΚΠ
1781 W. Cowper Truth 441 Sorrow might muse herself to madness then.
f. transitive. With direct speech as object: to say or murmur meditatively.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > speak in a particular manner [verb (intransitive)] > mutter or mumble > murmur meditatively
muse1834
1834 A. Marsh Two Old Men's Tales II. xviii. 224 ‘But what can I promise? I who have nothing’, mused she, ‘and am now penniless.’
1843 C. Dickens Christmas Carol i. 32 ‘You must have been very slow about it, Jacob.’..‘Slow!’ the Ghost repeated. ‘Seven years dead,’ mused Scrooge. ‘And travelling all the time?’
1881 C. E. L. Riddell Senior Partner I. vii. 150 ‘That's strange,’ mused Mr. McCullagh; ‘and you getting on for thirty year of age.’
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. ix. [Scylla & Charybdis] 206 Amused Buck Mulligan mused in pleasant murmur with himself, selfnodding: ‘A pleased bottom.’
1943 D. Welch Maiden Voy. xxxiii. 282 ‘I wonder what sort of letters you write?’ she mused.
1980 W. Abish How German is It? iii. xxv. 153 Funny, mused Franz aloud.
1987 Sunday Express Mag. 11 Oct. 43/3 ‘To be honest, I don't think anyone would have thought to ask if people had been to Turkey for their hols,’ a representative muses.
2003 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 21 Jan. r2/5 ‘Partly, it may be a patriotic thing,’ muses an executive from Ford.
2. intransitive. To gaze meditatively; to look thoughtfully or intently. With †in, on, upon. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > stare or gaze
stareOE
gawc1175
darea1225
porec1300
muse1340
glowc1374
gogglec1380
gazec1386
glore?a1400
glopc1400
govec1480
glower?a1513
gowk1513
daze1523
amuse1532
glew1587
to feed one's eyes1590
to seek, buy, or sow gape-seed1598
to shoot one's eyes1602
glazea1616
stargaze1639
gaum1691
to stare like a stuck pig1702
ygaze1737
gawk1785
to feed one's sight1813
gloze1853
glow1856
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 231 (MED) Iacobbes doȝter..yede muzi uor bysihede uor to ysy þe wymen of þe contraye huer þet hi wes.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. 37 Whanne him list to have a syhte Of gold..That he ther on mai loke and muse.
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) 1527 Narcisus..musede [Fr. musa] so in the welle That..He lovede his owne shadowe.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xliv. 570 Faste towardis hym gan he to Muse And vppon hym sette his hors hed.
c1450 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 177 As y stood musynge on þe moone.
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. diiv Ilk man may..muse in his myrrour.
1639 N. N. tr. J. Du Bosc Compl. Woman i. 63 I have heretofore a long time mused on the Statue of Venus made by Phidias.
1675 N. Lee Trag. Nero iv. i If I gaze long, I shall my nature lose: Mid'st of my full carreer, I stop and muse.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 113. ⁋1 This was the Place wherein I used to muse upon her.
1815 W. Wordsworth Poems I. 301 The mind..Is left to muse upon the solemn scene.
1819 W. Irving Rip Van Winkle in Sketch Bk. i. 71 For some time Rip lay musing on this scene.
1840 J. H. Newman Church of Fathers xiii. 232 He began to eye and muse upon the great bishop of Milan.
1932 W. Faulkner Light in August xvi. 366 He seems to muse upon one hand which lies upon his lap.
1961 K. Tynan Curtains i. 11 He hopes to be amused by his bully companions, but the eyes constantly muse beyond them into the time when he must steady himself for the crown.
1993 A. Higgins Lions of Grunewald xxviii. 176 Vera was pulling another pint of lager, saying nothing, musing on her hand that was grasping the beer-pull.
3. † a. intransitive. To be affected with astonishment or surprise; to wonder, marvel. With at, †of, †to. Obsolete.† b. transitive. To marvel at. Obsolete.† d. intransitive. To be a matter of wonder or puzzlement. Obsolete. rare.† e. transitive. To be surprised by, to wonder at. With clause or infinitive as object expressing the cause of wondering. Obsolete.† f. transitive. To bewilder, cause puzzlement to (a person). Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > feel wonder, be amazed [verb (intransitive)]
wonderc888
awondera1250
amarvelc1330
muse1340
marvela1382
astone1393
ferlya1400
admirec1429
stun1533
marl1601
wonder-maze1603
strange1639
admirize1702
astony1850
mirate1893
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 47 (MED) Ofte hy sseaweþ and diȝteþ ham þe more quaynteliche and þe more honesteliche uor to maki musi þe foles to ham.
a1425 (a1400) Prick of Conscience (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 6266 (MED) A grete wondir may þis be kyd..Bot of þis suld nane muse, lered ne lewed.
1526 Pylgrimage of Perfection (de Worde) f. 6 Some persons perauenture wyll muse or meruayle.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 443/1 I muse at it to se how he bandeth hymselfe with your enemyes.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxxiiii The Frenchmen their at not a littell mused.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. iv. 84 Do not muse at me my most worthy Friends. View more context for this quotation
1641 J. Milton Of Prelatical Episc. 13 We need no longer muse at the spreadi[n]g of many idle traditions.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 213 Then came the fine Gawain and wonder'd at her, And Lancelot later came and mused at her.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > feel wonder or astonishment at [verb (transitive)]
amarvelc1330
marvela1382
marvela1393
admirea1500
esmarvel1502
muse1530
wonder1535
muse1567
bewonder1610
strange1641
c1429 Mirour Mans Saluacioune (1986) l. 3859 The aungeles withouten meseur thire thinges musyd.
1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 165 Musing greitlie in my mynde, The folie that is in mankynde.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. iii. 36 I cannot too much muse Such shapes, such gesture, and such sound. View more context for this quotation
c. transitive. With interrogative clause as object: to be at a loss to discover; to ask oneself meditatively; to wonder.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > be or become confused [verb (intransitive)]
wonder1297
confusec1350
maskera1375
studya1375
to annoy of?c1400
muse?c1430
marc1440
manga1450
puzzle1605
dunce1611
quandary1616
wavera1625
wilder1658
to scratch one's head1712
maffle1781
to strike up1844
turn1852
to fall over oneself1889
fuzz1930
to get the lines crossed1973
?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 35 But here men musen whi prelatis ben so redy to curs in here owne cause.
c1450 (?c1408) J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte (1901) 2893 Musyng what hyt myghte be That she so straungely spake to me.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 57/2 While men mused what ye mater ment.
?a1562 G. Cavendish Life Wolsey (1959) 25 It made all the noble men ladys & gentilwomen to muse what it [sc. the firing of guns] shold mean commyng so sodenly.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) iii. 161 b Which maketh me much muse how it should be so.
1684 G. Meriton Praise Yorks. Ale 37 Thy father'l meause, whore we are all this while.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. xx. 41 I muse How single as I am I shall assail These shameless suitors.
1828 S. T. Coleridge Garden of Boccaccio 33 All spirits..that..lent a lustre to the earnest scan Of manhood, musing what and whence is man.
1853 M. Arnold Sohrab & Rustum in Poems (new ed.) 22 Ah me, I muse what this young fox may mean.
1872 Ld. Tennyson Last Tournament in Gareth & Lynette 114 Musing how to smooth And sleek his marriage over to the Queen.
1992 Economist 11 July (Suppl.) 5/1 Even Hans-Dietrich Genscher, a high priest of federal Europe.., wobbled briefly when he mused whether the EC ought to stick to economics.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > quality of inspiring wonder > be a matter of wonder [verb (intransitive)]
musea1500
to beggar description, comparea1616
to beat the Dutch1775
to beat all1839
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1897–1973) 40 (MED) Wheder ar all oure elders went? This musys mekill in my thoght.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > feel wonder or astonishment at [verb (transitive)]
amarvelc1330
marvela1382
marvela1393
admirea1500
esmarvel1502
muse1530
wonder1535
muse1567
bewonder1610
strange1641
1530 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) I. 328 I much muse that your Grace should so think.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 77 Thou wilt muse Philautus, to here Euphues to preach, who of late had more minde to serue his Ladye then to worshippe his Lorde.
1599 Queen Elizabeth I Let. 17 Sept. in Nugæ Antiquæ (1804) I. 304 We cannot but muse that you shoulde recite that circumstance.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. i. 1 I muse my Lord of Gloster is not come. View more context for this quotation
1631 T. Dekker Match mee in London iii. ii. 102 I muse thou art so poore.
1632 Thomas of Reading in W. J. Thoms Early Eng. Prose Romances (1858) I. 135 I muse thou canst indure this vile beseeming seruitude.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > act of perplexing > confuse, perplex, bewilder [verb (transitive)]
abobc1330
confusec1350
confoundc1374
cumbera1375
passc1384
maskerc1400
mopc1425
enose1430
manga1450
overmusec1460
perplex1477
maze1482
enmuse1502
ruffle?a1505
unsteady1532
entangle1540
duddle1548
intricate1548
distraught1579
distract1582
mizzle1583
moider1587
amuse1595
mist1598
bepuzzle1599
gravel1601
plunder1601
puzzle1603
intrigue1612
vexa1613
metagrobolize?a1616
befumea1618
fuddle1617
crucify1621
bumfiddlea1625
implicate1625
giddify1628
wilder1642
buzzlea1644
empuzzle1646
dunce1649
addle1652
meander1652
emberlucock1653
flounder1654
study1654
disorient1655
embarrass?1656
essome1660
embrangle1664
jumble1668
dunt1672
muse1673
clutter1685
emblustricate1693
fluster1720
disorientate1728
obfuscate1729
fickle1736
flustrate1797
unharmonize1797
mystify1806
maffle1811
boggle1835
unballast1836
stomber1841
throw1844
serpentine1850
unbalance1856
tickle1865
fog1872
bumfuzzle1878
wander1897
to put off1909
defeat1914
dither1919
befuddle1926
ungear1931
to screw up1941
1673 S'too him Bayes 58 But that that most muses me is this.
a. intransitive. To murmur discontentedly; to grumble, complain. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > state of complaining > complain [verb (intransitive)]
murkeOE
misspeakOE
yomer971
chidea1000
murkenOE
grutch?c1225
mean?a1300
hum13..
plainta1325
gruntc1325
plainc1325
musea1382
murmurc1390
complain1393
contrary1393
flitec1400
pinea1425
grummec1430
aggrudge1440
hoinec1440
mutterc1450
grudge1461
channerc1480
grunch1487
repine1529
storm?1553
expostulate1561
grumblea1586
gruntle1591
chunter1599
swagger1599
maunder1622
orp1634
objurgate1642
pitter1672
yelp1706
yammer1794
natter1804
murgeon1808
groan1816
squawk1875
jower1879
grouse1887
beef1888
to whip the cat1892
holler1904
yip1907
peeve1912
grouch1916
nark1916
to sound off1918
create1919
moana1922
crib1925
tick1925
bitch1930
gripe1932
bind1942
drip1942
kvetchc1950
to rag on1979
wrinch2011
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) 2 Kings xii. 19 Whan þanne dauiþ hadde herd his seruauntis musynge [a1425 L.V. spekynge priueli ether moterynge; L. mussitantes].
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iv. 156 (MED) It were no nede..To mvse so nor grucchen in ȝoure herte.
c1450 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 441 (MED) Who-so hem accuse Of any double entencion, To speke rovne, outher to muse, To pynche at hyr condicion; Alle is but fals collusion.
1549–62 T. Sternhold & J. Hopkins Whole Bk. Psalms ii. 1 Why did the Jewish people muse, Seeing all is but vaine?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) v. v. 231 Well, I will muse no further: Mr Fenton, Heauen giue you many, many merry dayes. View more context for this quotation
b. transitive. To complain of, grumble about. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > state of complaining > complain about [verb (transitive)]
plainc1400
muse1402
plaintc1425
grudgec1450
complain1509
murmell1546
to cry out of1548
repine1577
complain1584
remonstrate1625
churl1627
bemurmur1837
holler1936
1402 T. Hoccleve Lepistre Cupide (Huntington) l. 238 in Minor Poems (1970) ii. 301 It shal nat been in hire elleccioun, The foulest slutte in al a town refuse, If þat vs list for al þat they can muse.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) John vii. 32 Farisees herden the puple musinge [c1384 E.V. grucchinge; L. murmurantem] of hym these thingis.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > think or have in mind [verb (transitive)] > think out
out-thinka1382
to think outa1382
musea1400
excogitatec1530
to run over ——1565
to think through1748
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) 2267 Þer ware al þe speche mused [a1400 Vesp. delt; a1400 Trin. Cambr. part] þat now ar in þis werlde vsed.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus i. f. 6v O Lustie lufe, thy lufesum obseruance..is..So Iolious repleit of all plesance. Quha can descriue, thair is no man can muse.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)] > expectantly
muse?c1450
tend1604
to wait around1879
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 45 She..wolde no more make folke to mouse after her, but wolde be sonner arraied and atte the chirche thanne ani other.
ΚΠ
1486 Bk. St. Albans sig. evj And any hounde fynd or musyng [perh. read ormusyng] of hir mace Ther as she [sc. the hare] hath byne and is goon owt of that place.]
1606 Returne from Pernassus ii. v. 791 A Hare that we found this morning musing on her meaze.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1c1390
n.21484
n.3a1500n.41578n.5c1650v.1340