Muss Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
muss
[mสs ]
Definitions
formal requirement
A muss is a condition that must be met. It is often used in a legal context to describe a necessary condition or a mandatory requirement.
Synonyms
essential, necessity, requirement.
Examples of usage
- The project is a must for all team members.
- Having a valid passport is a muss for international travel.
- A driver's license is a muss to operate a vehicle.
to mess up
To muss means to make something untidy or messy. This verb often relates to disarranging or rumpling things, especially hair or clothing.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Don't muss your hair before the interview.
- He mussed the papers all over the desk.
- The wind mussed her dress as she walked.
Translations
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Origin of 'muss'
The word 'muss' originates from the early 17th century and is believed to derive from the dialectal English word 'muss', which means to mess up or to make disorderly. The roots of the term can also be traced back to the Middle English 'mussen', which is related to the German 'mรผssen', meaning 'to have to' or 'must'. In modern usage, the noun form is often associated with necessities, while the verb form conveys an action of disarranging. It reflects a historical context where order and necessity played vital roles in daily life, leading to the evolution of the term to convey both requirement and a state of disarray.