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muse

1. One of the nine goddesses who presided over song and the different kinds of poetry, and also the arts and sciences; often used in the plural. Granville commands; your aid, O Muses, bring: What Muse for Granville can refuse to sing? (pope)

The names of the Muses were Calliope, Clio, erato, euterpe, melpomene, Polymnia or polyhymnia, terpsichore, thalia, and urania.

2. A particular power and practice of poetry.

3. A poet; a bard.

Origin: F. Muse, L. Musa, Gr. Cf. Mosaic, Music.