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musk
(mʌsk)
uncountable noun
Musk is a substance with a strong smell which is used in making perfume.
musk in British English
(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.
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 flower4.
the smell of musk or a similar heady smell
5. (modifier)
containing or resembling musk
musk oil
a musk flavour
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 mousemusk in American English
(mʌsk)
noun
1.
a substance with a strong, penetrating odor, obtained from a small sac (musk bag) under the skin of the abdomen in the male musk deer: used as the basis of numerous perfumes
2.
a similar substance secreted by certain other animals, as the alligator or musk ox
3.
the odor of any of these substances, now often created synthetically
4.
any of several plants having a musky scent
Word origin
OFr musc < LL muscus < Gr moschos < Pers mušk, musk < Sans muṣka, testicle, dim. of mus, mouseImage ofmusk
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