Civet

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Civet \Civ"et\, v. t.
     To scent or perfume with civet. --Cowper
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:



  Civet \Civ"et\ (s[i^]v"[e^]t), n. [F. civette (cf. It. zibetto)
     civet, civet cat, fr. LGr. zape`tion, fr. Ar. zub[=a]d,
     zab[=a]d, 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
        agreeable when a small portion is mixed with another
        substance. It is used as a perfume.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool) 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.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  civet
       n : catlike mammal typically secreting musk used in perfumes
           [syn: {civet cat}]