Lewis & Short

muscŭlus, i, m. dim. [mus], a little mouse.

  1. I. Lit., Cic. Div. 2, 14, 33; Plin. 27, 7, 28, § 52.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. Of other creatures.
      1. 1. A companion of the whale, Plin. 9, 62, 88, § 186; called musculus marinus, id. 11, 37, 62, § 165.
      2. 2. A sea-mussel, Cels. 3, 6; 2, 29; Plaut. Rud. 2, 1, 9 (al. mytilus).
    2. B. Of things.
      1. 1. A muscle of the body: quodcunque musculum laesit, Cels. 5, 26, 3; 8, 1: femorum, Luc. 9, 771.
        Trop., muscle, vigor (post-Aug.): hanc (historiam) ossa, musculi, nervi decent, vigor, force, Plin. Ep. 5, 8, 10.
      2. 2. In milit. lang., a shed, mantelet (cf.: vinea, testudo); for its form and construction, v. Caes. B. C. 2, 10, 1; id. B. G. 7, 84; Veg. R. Mil. 4, 16.
      3. 3. A kind of small sailing vessel: longae naves sunt, quas dromones vocamus: dictae eo quod longiores sint ceteris: quibus contrarius musculus, curtum navigium, Isid. Orig. 19, 1.