muse

{{11}}muse (n.) late 14c., protectors of the arts, from O.Fr. Muse and directly from L. Musa, from Gk. Mousa, "the Muse," also "music, song," from PIE root *men- "to think, remember" (see MIND (Cf. mind) (n.)). Meaning "inspiring goddess of a particular poet" is from late 14c. The traditional names and specialties of the nine Muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, are: Calliope (epic poetry), Clio (history), Erato (love poetry, lyric art), Euterpe (music, especially flute), Melpomene (tragedy), Polymnia (hymns), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy), Urania (astronomy).

{{12}}muse (v.) "to reflect, to be absorbed in thought," mid-14c., from O.Fr. muser (12c.) "to ponder, dream, wonder; loiter, waste time," lit. "to stand with one's nose in the air" (or, possibly, "to sniff about" like a dog who has lost the scent), from muse "muzzle," from Gallo-Romance *musa "snout," of unknown origin. Probably influenced in sense by MUSE (Cf. muse) (n.). Related: Mused; musing.