muse

verb4

1. •
   To become lost in thought, to ponder.
2. •
   To think on; to meditate on.

   • Come, then, expressive Silence, muse his praise. — 1726
3. •
   To say (something) with due consideration or thought.

   • When I asked about her affinity for playing self-obsessed artists, O’Hara mused: “Maybe I’m just trying to get it out of my system. I’m so afraid to be like that.” — 2026
4. •
   To wonder at.

   • Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed; for what I will, I will, and there an end. — 1590

noun4

1. •
   Of a person: a source of inspiration.

   • Yoko Ono was John Lennon's wife, lover, and muse.
2. •
   An act of musing; a period of thoughtfulness.

   • still he sate long time astonished / As in great muse, ne word to creature spake. — 1590
3. •
   A gap or hole in a hedge, fence, etc. through which a wild animal is accustomed to pass; a muset.
4. •
   (no longer used) A poet; a bard.

   • My toung-tide Muse in manners holds her still, While comments of your praise richly compil'd, Reserue their Character with goulden quill, And precious phrase by all the Muses fil’d. — 1609

noun1

1. •
   One of the nine Ancient Greek deities of the arts.

   • And hears the Muses in a ring, Ay round about Joves Altar sing. — 1645