| English Dictionary |
MUSCULAR
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| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does muscular mean?
• MUSCULAR (adjective)
The adjective MUSCULAR has 4 senses:
1. of or relating to or consisting of muscle
2. having a robust muscular body-build characterized by predominance of structures (bone and muscle and connective tissue) developed from the embryonic mesodermal layer
3. having or suggesting great physical power or force
4. (of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
Familiarity information: MUSCULAR used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Of or relating to or consisting of muscle
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Context example:
muscular contraction
Pertainym:
muscle (one of the contractile organs of the body)
Derivation:
muscle (animal tissue consisting predominantly of contractile cells)
muscularity (the physiological state of having or consisting of muscle)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Having a robust muscular body-build characterized by predominance of structures (bone and muscle and connective tissue) developed from the embryonic mesodermal layer
Synonyms:
mesomorphic; muscular
Similar:
athletic (having a sturdy and well proportioned body)
Domain category:
anatomy; general anatomy (the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals)
Derivation:
muscle (possessing muscular strength)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Having or suggesting great physical power or force
Context example:
the muscular and passionate Fifth Symphony
Similar:
powerful (having great power or force or potency or effect)
Sense 4
Meaning:
(of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
Synonyms:
brawny; hefty; muscular; powerful; sinewy
Context example:
powerful arms
Similar:
strong (having strength or power greater than average or expected)
Derivation:
muscle; muscularity (possessing muscular strength)
Context examples
Two long muscular tubes that transport ova from the ovaries to the uterus.
(Murine Fallopian Tube, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
This gene plays a role in muscular and vascular development.
(MEF2C Gene, NCI Thesaurus)
He had a rounded, muscular, and vigorous hand, as well as a long, strong arm.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
The muscular contraction induced by the stretching works against or negates further muscle stretch.
(Muscle Spindle, NCI Thesaurus)
The research, could lead to a better understanding of rare muscular diseases and the development of new treatments.
(Researchers Discovered Proteins Essential to Development of Skeletal Muscle, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
It supplies blood to the muscular tissue of the heart.
(Coronary Artery, NCI Thesaurus)
This breed is strong and muscular with a flat, heavy head and strong, short muzzle.
(Akita, NCI Thesaurus)
Mutations in the muscle specific calpain p94 lead to Limb Girdle muscular dystrophy 2A (LGMD2A).
(Calpain-2 Cell Motility Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)
The muscular canal that goes from the uterus to the outside of the body.
(Birth canal, NCI Dictionary)
A type of cancer that grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.
(Chorioadenoma destruens, NCI Dictionary)
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