Dictionary
civet
noun civ·et \ˈsi-vət\
: a wild animal that is like a cat and that has a long body, short legs, and a long tail
: a substance from the body of the civet that has a strong smell and is sometimes used to make perfume
Full Definition of CIVET
1
: any of various Old World carnivorous viverrid mammals with long bodies, short legs, and a usually long tail
2
: a thick yellowish musky-odored substance found in a sac near the anus of the civet (especially genera Civettictis, Viverra, and Viverricula) and used in perfume
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Illustration of CIVET
Origin of CIVET
Middle French civette, from Old Italian zibetto, from Arabic zabād civet perfume
First Known Use: 1532
Medical Dictionary
civet
noun civ·et \ˈsiv-ət\
Medical Definition of CIVET
1
2
: a thick yellowish musky-odored substance found in a pouch near the sexual organs of the civet cat and used in perfume
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