Definition

1. Noun:

   • A formal gathering or assembly of people, especially military personnel for inspection, roll call, or duty: A "muster" is an event where soldiers or other personnel are brought together to be counted, inspected, or prepared for service.
   • The act of assembling or gathering: It can refer to the process of bringing people or things together.

2. Verb:

   • To assemble or gather (troops, people, or things): To bring together, especially for a specific purpose like military duty or a meeting.
   • To summon or call forth (a quality, such as courage or strength) from within oneself: To gather or collect one's inner resources, like energy or bravery, to do something difficult.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The soldiers stood in formation for the morning muster.
  • A muster of volunteers was organized to help with the cleanup.

• Verb:

  • The general mustered his forces before the battle.
  • She had to muster all her confidence before the important presentation.

Advanced Usage

• "To pass muster": To be accepted as satisfactory or adequate; to meet the required standards.

  • His work was not perfect, but it passed muster with his manager.

• "Muster out": To discharge or release from military service.

  • After the war, the soldiers were mustered out and returned home.

Variants and Related Words

• Musterer (n): A person who assembles or gathers people or animals.

  • The musterer rounded up the cattle for the drive.

• Mustering (n/gerund): The act or process of assembling.

  • The mustering of the militia was completed quickly.

Synonyms

• Assemble (v): To bring together.
• Gather (v): To come or bring together.
• Convene (v): To come together for a meeting.
• Summon (v): To authoritatively call on to be present.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Muster up: To gather or summon, especially an abstract quality like courage or energy.
  • He mustered up the nerve to ask her on a date.

Related Idioms

• "Muster one's strength/forces": To gather one's physical or mental energy.
  • Injured, the athlete mustered his strength to finish the race.

Noun

1. compulsory military service
2. a gathering of military personnel for duty
   • he was thrown in the brig for missing muster

Verb

1. call to duty, military service, jury duty, etc.
2. gather or bring together
   • muster the courage to do something
   • she rallied her intellect
   • Summon all your courage