civet

American  

[siv-it] / ˈsɪv ɪt /

noun

1. a yellowish, unctuous substance with a strong musklike odor, obtained from a pouch in the genital region of civets and used in perfumery.

2. any catlike, carnivorous mammal of the subfamily Viverrinae, chiefly of southern Asia and Africa, having a coarse-haired, spotted coat, rounded ears, and a narrow muzzle.

3. any of various related or similar animals, as the palm civet.

4. cacomistle.

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civet British  

/ ˈsɪvɪt /

noun

1. any catlike viverrine mammal of the genus Viverra and related genera, of Africa and S Asia, typically having blotched or spotted fur and secreting a powerfully smelling fluid from anal glands

2. the yellowish fatty secretion of such an animal, used as a fixative in the manufacture of perfumes

3. the fur of such an animal

4. short for palm civet

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Other Word Forms

• civetlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of civet

1525–35; < Middle French civette < Catalan civetta ≪ Arabic zabād civet perfume; zibet

Example Sentences

Despite eating the same figs, binturong, small-toothed palm, masked palm, and common palm civets do coexist together.

From Science Daily

For smaller omnivorous and carnivorous mammals such as masked palm civets or elephant shrews, nectar can act as a high-calorie supplement.

From Science Magazine

The samples from the stall that contained the coronavirus also contained DNA from a variety of animals, including dogs, rabbits, hoary bamboo rats, Malayan porcupines and masked palm civets.

From Los Angeles Times

The results identify a shortlist of animals – including racoon dogs, civets and bamboo rats – as potential sources of the pandemic.

From BBC

A virus in civets and raccoon dogs sold in marketplaces in southern China matched the one that sickened humans, and a virus later found in bats looked like its ancestor.

From Science Magazine