muster

[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.
2.
to gather, summon, rouse (often followed by up):
He mustered all his courage.
verb (used without object)
3.
to assemble for inspection, service, etc., as troops or forces.
4.
to come together; collect; assemble; gather.
noun
5.
an assembling of troops or persons for formal inspection or other purposes.
6.
an assemblage or collection.
7.
the act of mustering.
8.
Also called muster roll. (formerly) a list of the persons enrolled in a military or naval unit.
Verb phrases
9.
muster in, to enlist into service in the armed forces.
10.
muster out, to discharge from service in the armed forces:
He will be mustered out of the army in only two more months.
Idioms
11.
pass muster,
  1. to pass a cursory inspection.
  2. to measure up to a certain standard; be adequate:
    Your grades don't pass muster.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English mostren (v.) < Old French mostrer < Latin mōnstrāre to show, derivative of mōnstrum portent; see monster
Related forms
premuster, verb (used with object)
unmustered, adjective
Can be confused
muster, mustard.
Synonyms
1. convoke. See gather. 1, 4. convene; congregate. 5. gathering, assembly, convention.
Antonyms
1, 4. scatter, separate.
British Dictionary definitions for muster in

muster

/ˈmʌstə/
verb
1.
to call together (numbers of men) for duty, inspection, etc, or (of men) to assemble in this way
2.
(US)
  1. muster in, to enlist into military service
  2. muster out, to discharge from military service
3.
(transitive) (Austral & NZ) to round up (livestock)
4.
(transitive) sometimes foll by up. to summon or gather: to muster one's arguments, to muster up courage
noun
5.
an assembly of military personnel for duty, inspection, etc
6.
a collection, assembly, or gathering
7.
(Austral & NZ) the rounding up of livestock
8.
a flock of peacocks
9.
pass muster, to be acceptable
Word Origin
C14: from old French moustrer, from Latin monstrāre to show, from monstrum portent, omen
Word Origin and History for muster in

muster

v.

c.1300, "to display, reveal, appear," from Old French mostrer "appear, show, reveal," also in a military sense (10c., Modern French montrer), from Latin monstrare "to show," from monstrum "omen, sign" (see monster). Meaning "to collect, assemble" is early 15c.; figurative use (of qualities, etc.) is from 1580s. To muster out "gather to be discharged from military service" is 1834, American English. To muster up in the figurative and transferred sense of "gather, summon, marshal" is from 1620s. Related: Mustered; mustering.

n.

late 14c., "action of showing, manifestation," from Old French mostre "illustration, proof; examination, inspection" (13c., Modern French montre), literally "that which is shown," from mostrer (see muster (v.)). Meaning "act of gathering troops" is from c.1400. To pass musters (1570s) originally meant "to undergo military review without censure."

Idioms and Phrases with muster in

muster in

Enlist in military service. For example, They were mustered in at Fort Dix. The antonym is muster out, meaning “to leave or be discharged from military service,” as in He was mustered out and given a dishonorable discharge. [ First half of 1800s ]

muster

In addition to the idiom beginning with muster also see: pass muster