“Muscles” or “Mussels”—Which to use?

“Muscles” or “Mussels”

Overview

muscles / mussels are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term. 👇

Definitions

muscles: (noun) one of the contractile organs of the body. (noun) animal tissue consisting predominantly of contractile cells. (noun) authority or power or force (especially when used in a coercive way). (verb) make one's way by force.

mussels: (noun) black marine bivalves usually steamed in wine. (noun) marine or freshwater bivalve mollusk that lives attached to rocks etc..

Pronunciation

muscles: m·AH·s·ah·l·z

mussels: m·AH·s·ah·l·z

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Examples in Context

Examples of “muscles”

This contraction of expiratory chest muscles, diaphragm, abdominal wall muscles, and…
He discovered blood corpuscles, striated muscles, human spermatozoa (1677), protozoa (1674),…
…contract or relax various facial muscles, causing them to smile or…
…one of the three thenar muscles, lying deep to the abductor…
…the reflex contraction of rectal muscles, relaxation of the internal anal…
…lateral appendages, moved by intrinsic muscles and penetrated by blood-spaces.
…cartilaginous, keel for enlarged pectoral muscles.
…best stories stir those facial muscles which, we are told, are…
…feces to be passed by muscles pulling the anus up over…
…to the needles, packed in muscles that can force out the

Examples of “mussels”

…the benthic community structure of mussels and predation pressure by sea
…is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the…
…the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
…found among other species of mussels in the few remaining fragments…
…as molluscs, such as clams, mussels, oysters, periwinkles, and scallops.
…concern, nineteen percent of Kentucky mussels have become extinct or extirpated…
…chitons, marine snails, limpets and mussels, and barnacles, but also crabs,…
…the distribution and productivity of mussels and diminish their role in…
…by hiring women to can mussels and expanded to newer forms…

(Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions drawn from WordNet.)

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