muster

[muhs-ter]

verb (used with object)

1. to assemble (troops, a ship's crew, etc.), as for battle, display, inspection, orders, or discharge.

   Synonyms: congregate, convene, convoke
   Antonyms: separate, scatter

2. to gather, summon, rouse (often followed byup ).

   He mustered all his courage.

verb (used without object)

1. to assemble for inspection, service, etc., as troops or forces.

2. to come together; collect; assemble; gather.

   Synonyms: congregate, convene
   Antonyms: separate, scatter

noun

1. an assembling of troops or persons for formal inspection or other purposes.

   Synonyms: convention, assembly, gathering

2. an assemblage or collection.

3. the act of mustering.

4. Also called muster roll. (formerly) a list of the persons enrolled in a military or naval unit.

verb phrase

1. muster out,  to discharge from service in the armed forces.

   He will be mustered out of the army in only two more months.

2. muster in,  to enlist into service in the armed forces.

muster

/ ˈmʌstə /

verb

1. to call together (numbers of men) for duty, inspection, etc, or (of men) to assemble in this way

2. 1. to enlist into military service

   2. to discharge from military service

3. (tr) to round up (livestock)

4. to summon or gather

   to muster one's arguments

   to muster up courage

noun

1. an assembly of military personnel for duty, inspection, etc

2. a collection, assembly, or gathering

3. the rounding up of livestock

4. a flock of peacocks

5. to be acceptable

Other Word Forms

• premuster verb (used with object)
• unmustered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of muster¹

1250–1300; Middle English mostren (v.) < Old French mostrer < Latin mōnstrāre to show, derivative of mōnstrum unnatural event; monster

Word History and Origins

Origin of muster¹

C14: from old French moustrer, from Latin monstrāre to show, from monstrum portent, omen

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pass muster,

   1. to pass a cursory inspection.

   2. to measure up to a certain standard; be adequate.

      Your grades don't pass muster.

More idioms and phrases containing muster

• pass muster

Synonym Study

See gather.

Example Sentences

"We need the Government to show the same determination it eventually mustered for Nazanin—now, immediately, urgently, and not years from now."

Read more on BBC

Whether a person with a major psychiatric disorder can muster the necessary volition to support such an irreversible decision, and whether doctors can reliably determine that a patient’s condition is irremediable, are major question marks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ireland could only muster six points in the second period through two Prendergast penalties, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's superb individual try ensuring a first win on Irish soil for the Springboks in four attempts.

Read more on BBC

I finally muster the nerve to ask the question bouncing around in my head.

Read more on Literature

She tried to muster the will to scold her pupils for the hundredth time that morning but found she could not.

Read more on Literature