civet

noun

civ·​et ˈsi-vət 

1

: any of various Old World carnivorous viverrid mammals with long bodies, short legs, and a usually long tail

2

: a thick yellowish musky-odored substance found in a sac near the anus of the civet (especially genera Civettictis, Viverra, and Viverricula) and used in perfume

Illustration of civet

• civet 1

Examples of civet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This slightly masculine fragrance opens with zesty bergamot, then gets grassy and a little dirty thanks to the notes of vetiver and synthetic civet musk. —Emily Orofino, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025

The diet of a reticulated python includes rodents for younger snakes, and pigs, civets and birds for older ones, per the source. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024

Animal excretions such as deer musk; castoreum, from beavers; and civet, from the perineal glands of a mammal of the same name, are no longer considered humane. —Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024

The olfactory journey spans five continents with scents both recognizable and obscure, like the musk secreted by the glands of the nocturnal civet. —Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French civette, from Old Italian zibetto, from Arabic zabād civet perfume

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing civet

• civet cat

Kids Definition

civet

noun

civ·​et ˈsiv-ət 

1

: a thick yellowish strong-smelling substance obtained from the civet cat and used in perfume

2

: civet cat

Medical Definition

civet

noun

civ·​et ˈsiv-ət 

1

: civet cat

2

: a thick yellowish musky-odored substance found in a pouch near the sexual organs of the civet cat and used in perfume