n.
Pronunciation: ' m ə sk
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English muske, from Middle French musc, from Late Latin muscus, from Late Greek moschos, from Middle Persian *mu š k-, from Sanskrit mu ș ka testicle, from diminutive of m ū ș mouse; akin to Old English m ū s mouse
Date: 14th century
1 a : a substance with a penetrating persistent odor obtained from a sac beneath the abdominal skin of the male musk deer and used as a perfume fixative also : a similar substance from another animal or a synthetic substitute b : the odor of musk also : an odor resembling musk especially in heaviness or persistence
2 : any of various plants with musky odors especially : MUSK PLANT