musk
[muhsk]
- a substance secreted in a glandular sac under the skin of the abdomen of the male musk deer, having a strong odor, and used in perfumery.
- an artificial imitation of the substance.
- a similar secretion of other animals, as the civet, muskrat, and otter.
- the odor of musk or some similar odor.
- Botany. any of several plants, as the monkey flower, having a musky fragrance.
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Origin of musk
1350–1400; Middle English musk(e) (< Middle French musc) < Late Latin muscus (Medieval Latin moschus) < Late Greek móskos, móschos < Persian mushk
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for musk
Contemporary Examples
Nothing could better describe the differences between Branson and Musk than these two events.
Musk is there, too, having taken a three-year lease at Spaceport for testing reusable rockets.
Like Ford, Musk started by building a high-end sports car that would be a toy for the ultra-rich.
Like Ford, Musk knew that Tesla could only become a significant player if it were to democratize the electric car.
When Musk decided he want to make electric cars, he was confronting the world that Ford had pioneered.
Historical Examples
She was also jealous because she didn't reek of musk like that boulevard work-horse.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
His beard, moist with his tears, still stank of tobacco and musk.
FruitfulnessEmile Zola
You had best stand aside—you that are steeped in musk and fierceness.
The Trampling of the LiliesRafael Sabatini
He passed into the hall, which was cool and smelt like a wedding with a musk of flowers.
PipefulsChristopher Morley
In the retreat of the Hermes the smell of musk had evaporated.
The Child of PleasureGabriele D'Annunzio
musk
- a strong-smelling glandular secretion of the male musk deer, used in perfumery
- a similar substance produced by certain other animals, such as the civet and otter, or manufactured synthetically
- any of several scrophulariaceous plants of the genus Mimulus, esp the North American M. moschatus, which has yellow flowers and was formerly cultivated for its musky scentSee also monkey flower
- the smell of musk or a similar heady smell
- (modifier) containing or resembling muskmusk oil; a musk flavour
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Word Origin
C14: from Late Latin muscus, from Greek moskhos, from Persian mushk, probably from Sanskrit mushká scrotum (from the appearance of the musk deer's musk bag), diminutive of mūsh mouse
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for musk
n.
late 14c., from Old French musc (13c.) and directly from Late Latin muscus, from Late Greek moskhos, from Persian mushk, from Sanskrit muska-s "testicle," from mus "mouse" (so called, presumably, for resemblance; see muscle). The deer gland was thought to resemble a scrotum. German has moschos, from a Medieval Latin form of the Late Greek word. Spanish has almizcle, from Arabic al misk "the musk," from Persian. Applied to various plants and animals of similar smell (e.g. musk-ox, 1744).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper