The Muses were nine goddesses in Greek mythology, each representing a different art or science. Music was specifically associated with the Muse Calliope, who was the muse of epic poetry, but her domain also included the art of music.
Here's a breakdown of the etymology:
* Greek: mousike (μουσική) - meaning "art of the Muses"
* Latin: musica - adopted from the Greek word
* English: music - adopted from the Latin word
So, essentially, "music" is a word that has its roots in the ancient Greek belief that music was a gift from the gods, specifically the Muse Calliope.