muscle

A contractile form of tissue which animals use to effect movement.

Muscle consists largely of actin and myosin filaments.

For as the Trunk of the Body, is kept from tilting forvvard by the Muſcules of the Back: So, from falling backvvard, by theſe of the Belly.

An organ composed of muscle tissue.

His brow and hair and the palms of his hands were wet, and there was a kind of nervous contraction of his muscles. They seemed to ripple and string tense.

You, Boxer, the very day that those great muscles of yours lose their power, Jones will sell you to the knacker […]

A well-developed physique, in which the muscles are enlarged from exercise.

2008, Lou Schuler, "Foreward", in Nate Green, Built for Show, page xii The fact that I was middle-aged, bald, married, and raising girls instead of chasing them didn't really bother me. Muscles are cool at any age.

Strength, force.

The widely-backed campaign to recall Evan Mecham as governor of Arizona gained even more muscle when the state House of Representatives voted to impeach the ultraconservative on February 5.

The lesson to be drawn from the events of 1914, to Roosevelt's mind, was that civilization needed muscle to defend it, not just solemn words.

Hired strongmen or bodyguards.

It was easy enough to dodge him, let him crash into the floorboards. Peltroc knew that his priority was the leader, not the hired muscle.

To use force to make progress, especially physical force.

He muscled his way through the crowd.

Hensel and Wilson hit a series of leg shots simultaneously as Christian muscles between them with Quinn right on his heels.

To move forcefully or with great strength.

She muscled through the ruins.