CIVET

civet, civet cat

(noun) cat-like mammal typically secreting musk used in perfumes

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

civet (countable and uncountable, plural civets)

(countable) A carnivorous catlike animal, Civettictis civetta, that produces a musky secretion. It is two to three feet long, with black bands and spots on the body and tail.

(uncountable) The musky perfume produced by the animal.

Any animal in the family Viverridae or the similar family Nandiniidae

(countable, US) Any of several species of spotted skunk, in the genus Spilogale.

Anagrams

• evict

Source: Wiktionary


Civ"et, n. Etym: [F. civette (cf. It. zibetto) civet, civet cat, fr. LGr. zub, zab, civet.]

1. A substance, of the consistence of butter or honey, taken from glands in the anal pouch of the civet (Viverra civetta). It is of clear yellowish or brownish color, of a strong, musky odor, offensive when undiluted, but agreeble when a small portion is mixed with another substance. It is used as a perfume.

2. (Zoöl)

Definition: The animal that produces civet (Viverra civetta); -- called also civet cat. It is carnivorous, from two to three feet long, and of a brownish gray color, with transverse black bands and spots on the body and tail. It is a native of northern Africa and of Asia. The name is also applied to other species.

Civ"et, v. t.

Definition: To scent or perfume with civet. Cowper

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

22 February 2025

ANALYSIS

(noun) the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g., ‘the father of the bride’ instead of ‘the bride’s father’


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Coffee Trivia

Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.

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