noun
civet
SIV-it/ˈsɪvɪt/
A small carnivorous mammal producing a musky secretion.
The nocturnal civet moves through the undergrowth, leaving a musky scent behind it.
Etymology
French civette names the animal itself, whose name was also applied to its musky secretion used in perfume. The suggested deeper connection with Arabic words for “foam” or “cream” may be folk etymology.
In context
instead of them butchering the civet cats they gathered the poop in the forest
More examples
- The perfume's historical formula includes civet.
- A civet searches for food after sunset.
- The museum display explains how civet was once collected for perfumes.
Forms
civet · civets
Similar words
- musk
- Musk broadly names a strong animal scent or its imitation; civet names a particular mammal and its secretion.