I. civ·et ˈsivə̇t noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French civette, from Italian zibetto, from Arabic zabād civet perfume
1. : civet cat
2. : a substance found in a pouch near the sexual organs of the true civet cats that is of the consistency of butter or honey, clear yellowish or brownish in color, with a strong musky odor, used in perfume, and chemically a complex mixture chiefly of fats and volatile oils
3. : the fur of a civet or of a little spotted skunk
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II. ci·vet sēvā noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, alteration of Old French civé hare or venison stew cooked in onion-flavored wine sauce, from cive onion, chives
: a highly seasoned stew of game