Etymologies

 

  a muse                       MUSE                    muse um

 

[[ ME musen < OFr muser, to ponder, loiter, originally (?) to stand with muzzle in the air < ML * musare < musum (> OFr musel), snout, MUZZLE ]]

to think deeply and at length; meditate

 

Muse

[[ OFr < L musa < Gr mousa, a Muse, music, eloquence < ? IE base *mendh-, to pay attention to, be lively > ON munda, to strive ]]

the spirit that is thought to inspire a poet or a other artist; source of genius or inspiration

 

amuse

[[ Fr amuser < a, at + OFr muser, to stare fixedly, MUSE ]]

• to excite mirth, laughter
• to keep pleasantly occupied or interested; entertain
• to engross, absorb
• to puzzle, distract

 

museum

[[ L < Gr mouseion a place for the Muses, a place to study < mousa, MUSE ]]

 

a place to ponder  . . . . .

 

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