civet
civet Lexical Profile
civet Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small, slender, nocturnal carnivorous mammal of the family Viverridae, native to tropical Asia and Africa, typically having a spotted coat, a pointed muzzle, and a long tail.
"The palm civet is well known in parts of Southeast Asia for its role in producing a specialized, highly expensive type of coffee."
A strong-smelling, musky substance secreted by a gland near the tail of the civet, traditionally used as a base and fixative in the manufacture of perfumes.
"Historically, perfumers relied heavily on natural civet to add warmth and longevity to floral fragrances, though synthetic alternatives are mostly used today."
• Rhymes for civet
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English (denoting the animal's musky secretion), via Middle French 'civette', from Arabic 'zabād', meaning 'civet perfume'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.