muster

American  

[muhs-ter] / ˈmʌs tər /

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.

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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.

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.

muster British  

/ 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

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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

muster More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing muster

• pass muster

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Synonym Usage

See gather.

Other Word Forms

• premuster
  verb (used with object)
• unmustered
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of muster

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

Explanation

Originally meaning "to gather soldiers," muster has been expanded to include gathering up just about anything — you can muster up some dinner, some friends, or even some ketchup, pickles, and mustard. Remember that muster used to involve getting reluctant soldiers out of bed and into the field of battle — so it involves overcoming a certain inertia. When you muster up the courage to face something, it's clear that this is pretty scary for you.

Example Sentences

David: Muster Dogs on The ABC: “Five graziers from across Australia are given five Kelpie puppies from the same litter and set with the challenge of transforming these uniquely Australian dogs into champion muster dogs.”

From Slate • Jun. 15, 2023

Then came a breakthrough: he found the two on an 1864 Civil War Registration Muster Roll and learned that one of them later filed for a Union Army pension.

From Washington Times • Feb. 28, 2021

The cyber-extravaganza will resume at the same time on April 18, with 2017’s Wings Tour live in Seoul, Wings Tour: The Final, 2018’s 4th Muster and 2018’s Love Yourself Seoul concert.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2020

In a quirk typical of Gell-Mann’s approach to science, he chose the name “quark” for a line from James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake: “Three quarks for Muster Mark.”

From The Guardian • May 26, 2019

The origin of the name is an enigmatic quotation from James Joyce: “Three quarks for Muster Mark!”

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking