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

Or foolhardy when this is a moment when she ought to be mustering as much authority as she can?

From BBC

One of the biggest problems has been finding a place to muster the Household Cavalry.

From BBC

The performance flowed with exquisite lyricism and mustered a thrilling finale.

From Los Angeles Times

There were stretches when I was “good” at it — when I mustered the discipline to churn through the same routine week after week.

From Salon

Arsenal only had the shackles released when they went behind, too late to make a difference against a Liverpool rearguard that performed with the most resistance it has mustered this season.

From BBC