civet

Meaning

1. A carnivorous catlike animal, Civettictis civetta, that produces a musky secretion. It is two to three feet (30–90 cm) long, with black bands and spots on the body and tail.
2. The musky perfume produced by the animal.
3. Any animal in the family Viverridae or the similar family Nandiniidae
4. Any of several species of spotted skunk, in the genus Spilogale.

Synonyms

civet cat

musk

collyrium

genet

henna

masque

rouge

woad

civetta

viverrine

gold-leaf

moschiferus

kind of fragrance

artificial beauty-spot

Viverra civetta

calf

zibeth

ceruse

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsɪ.vɪt/

Etymology

From French civette, from Italian zibetto, from Medieval Latin zibethum, from Arabic زَبَاد (zabād).