ENGLISH
REFERENCE

muster

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈməstɝ// UK //mˈʌstɐ// muster Archaic

v. to gather up as much of something as you can, such as your strength, courage, or support. It is often used when you are trying to do something difficult.

v. to assemble or collect a specific amount of something, typically for a particular purpose or in response to a challenge. Often used figuratively with abstract qualities like courage or strength.


SIMPLE

She had to muster all her courage to speak.

CONTEXTUAL

The small political party struggled to muster enough votes to pass the new environmental law.

COMPLEX

Despite his exhaustion after the long journey, the diplomat managed to muster a polite smile for the waiting cameras and reporters.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English musteren, borrowed from Anglo-Norman mostrer, Middle French monstrer, moustrer (whence the noun monstre, which gave the English noun), from Latin mōnstrō (“to show”), from moneō (“to admonish”). Cognate with French montrer (“to show”), Italian mostrare (“to show”), Spanish mostrar (“to show”). See also monster.

Usage

Transitive verb; frequently collocates with abstract nouns like 'courage', 'strength', 'support', or 'energy'.

Idioms1 entry

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