— civetlike , adj.
/siv"it/ , n.
1. a yellowish, unctuous substance with a strong musklike odor, obtained from a pouch in the genital region of civets and used in perfumery.
2. any catlike, carnivorous mammal of the subfamily Viverrinae, chiefly of southern Asia and Africa, having a coarse-haired, spotted coat, rounded ears, and a narrow muzzle.
3. any of various related or similar animals, as the palm civet.
4. cacomistle.
[ 1525-35; civette civetta zabad civet perfume; see ZIBET ]