musk

[ muhsk ]

noun

1. 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.
2. an artificial imitation of the substance.
3. a similar secretion of other animals, as the civet, muskrat, and otter.
4. the odor of musk or some similar odor.
5. Botany. any of several plants, as the monkey flower, having a musky fragrance.

musk

/ mʌsk /

noun

1. a strong-smelling glandular secretion of the male musk deer, used in perfumery
2. a similar substance produced by certain other animals, such as the civet and otter, or manufactured synthetically
3. See monkey flower
   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 scent See also monkey flower
4. the smell of musk or a similar heady smell
5. modifier containing or resembling musk

   a musk flavour

   musk oil

Word History and Origins

Origin of musk¹

1350–1400; Middle English musk ( e ) (< Middle French musc ) < Late Latin muscus ( Medieval Latin moschus ) < Late Greek móskos, móschos < Persian mushk

Word History and Origins

Origin of musk¹

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

Example Sentences

The more Twitter evaded even simple inquiries, the more the Musk Parties grew to suspect that Twitter had misled them.

From Washington Post

Twitter is currently trading at around $34 per share, valuing the company at $26 billion—little more than half of what Musk offered for it.

From Time

Although a musk ox looks like a dirty dust mop on four tiny hooves, it’s formidable.

From Science News

Elon Musk’s bid to acquire Twitter in a deal worth $44 billion has sparked debate and concern about what the platform will look like once he takes over.

From Time

In the days following the announcement of the planned acquisition, Musk targeted Gadde specifically in his tweets, effectively accusing her of being Twitter’s lead censor, resulting in legions of his fans harassing her on the site.

From Time

Nothing could better describe the differences between Branson and Musk than these two events.

From The Daily Beast

Richard Branson and Elon Musk have taken very different paths in their race to the heavens.

From The Daily Beast

Musk is there, too, having taken a three-year lease at Spaceport for testing reusable rockets.

From The Daily Beast

Like Ford, Musk started by building a high-end sports car that would be a toy for the ultra-rich.

From The Daily Beast

At first blush, Henry Ford, the founder of Ford, and Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla Motors, would seem to have little in common.

From The Daily Beast

The spotted fawn, the musk-deer, gazelles and antelopes, all seemed to answer the call of the music.

From Project Gutenberg

Having done this, add a quarter of an ounce of essence of lemon; half-a-drachm of musk, and half-a-drachm of oil of thyme.

From Project Gutenberg

After the boiling has ceased, but before it is cold, add one gill of spirits of wine, and a grain of musk.

From Project Gutenberg

Muske-catthe civet-cat; applied as a term of contempt to a fop, as being a person perfumed with musk.

From Project Gutenberg

THE generality of naturalists are of opinion that the perfume called civet, or musk, is furnished only by one species of animals.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aroma
• flavor
• perfume
• smell
• stench
• stink
• whiff