I. ˈməsk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English muske, from Middle French musc, from Late Latin muscus, from Greek moschos, from Persian mushk castoreum, musk, from Sanskrit muṣka testicle, scrotum, vulva, diminutive of mūṣ, mouse — more at mouse
1.
a. : a substance that has a penetrating persistent odor, that is obtained from a sac situated under the skin of the abdomen of the male musk deer, that when fresh in the pods is brown and unctuous and when dried is a grainy powder, that varies in quality according to the season and age of the animal, and that is used chiefly in the form of a tincture as a fixative in perfumes
b. : any of various strong-smelling substances obtained from other animals (as the musk-ox, muskrat, or civet cat)
c. : any of various synthetic compounds (as muscone, civetone, or musk ambrette) having musky odors and used similarly to natural musk
2. : the musk deer or a similar animal
3.
a. : musk plant
b. : musk mallow
c. : musk clover
d. : grape hyacinth
e. Australia : any of several shrubs of the genus Olearia
4. : a dark grayish yellowish brown that is stronger, slightly yellower, and lighter than seal brown, slightly redder and lighter than sepia brown, lighter and stronger than otter brown, and very slightly redder and deeper than lama or bison — called also café noir, cattail
5.
a. : the odor of musk
b. : an odor (as an animal scent) that resembles musk
musk of mignonette — Elizabeth S. Hardy
the musk where a polecat had passed — Edwin Granberry
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to perfume with musk