musk

[muhsk]

noun

1. a substance secreted in a glandular sac under the skin of the abdomen of the male musk deer, having a strong odor, and used in perfumery.

2. an artificial imitation of the substance.

3. a similar secretion of other animals, as the civet, muskrat, and otter.

4. the odor of musk or some similar odor.

5. Botany.,  any of several plants, as the monkey flower, having a musky fragrance.

musk

/ 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 flower

4. the smell of musk or a similar heady smell

5. (modifier) containing or resembling musk

   musk oil

   a musk flavour

Word History and Origins

Origin of musk¹

1350–1400; Middle English musk ( e ) (< Middle French musc ) < Late Latin muscus ( Medieval Latin moschus ) < Late Greek móskos, móschos < Persian mushk

Word History and Origins

Origin of musk¹

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 _mouse

Example Sentences

Up close and personal, the musk of the odor dissipated, and I breathed in the grounding spice of the cedar and the energizing citrus notes of the Douglas fir.

From Los Angeles Times

Following Trump’s propensity for projection, perhaps it is Gabbard’s and musk’s newfound positions that are politically-motivated, not the leaks they are promising to plug.

From Salon

“Did elon musk just hit the roman salute at his inauguration speech?”

From Salon

They included a horseshoe bat called Rhinolophus mabuensis and a dwarf musk shrew which scientists are still in the process of naming and describing.

From BBC

The polar bears pop up from their winter lairs, the arctic tern soar back from their long journey south and the musk oxen wade north.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• aroma 
• flavor 
• perfume 
• smell 
• stench 
• stink 
• whiff