muscat

¹ American  

[muhs-kuht, -kat] / ˈmʌs kət, -kæt /

noun

1. a variety of grape having a pronounced sweet aroma and flavor, used for making wine and raisins.

2. the vine bearing this fruit.

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Muscat ² American  

[muhs-kat] / mʌsˈkæt /

noun

1. a seaport in and the capital of Oman.

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muscat ¹ British  

/ -kæt, ˈmʌskət /

noun

1. any of various grapevines that produce sweet white grapes used for making wine or raisins

2. another name for muscatel

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Muscat ² British  

/ -kæt, ˈmʌskət /

noun

1. Arabic name: Masqat.  the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, a port on the Gulf of Oman: a Portuguese port from the early 16th century; controlled by Persia (1650–1741). Pop: 689 000 (2005 est)

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Etymology

Origin of muscat

1570–80; short for muscat wine or grape < Middle French muscat musky < Old Provençal, equivalent to musc (< Late Latin muscus musk ) + -at -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The earliest crossbreeding probably happened in what is now Israel and Turkey, creating muscat grapes, which are high in sugar—good for eating and fermenting.

From Scientific American • Sep. 21, 2023

The solution is found in Alsace, where dry muscat and asparagus are best friends with shared terroir.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2023

Maryhill Winery 2019 muscat canelli, Columbia Valley, $19: Visitors to the Maryhill Museum drive near the Gunkel Vineyards, whose grapes go into this fun, off-dry white filled with tropicality.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 4, 2022

This fresh orange wine is made of roughly equal parts sémillon, muscat of Alexandria and corinto, better known as Pedro Ximénez.

From New York Times • Feb. 15, 2022

“Pears and apples and muscat grapes,” said Lee.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck