musk
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musk
(mŭsk)n.
1.
a. A greasy secretion with a powerful odor, produced in a glandular sac in the abdomen of a male musk deer and used in traditional medicines and formerly in the manufacture of perfumes.
b. A similar secretion produced by certain other animals, such as an otter or civet.
c. A synthetic chemical resembling natural musk in odor or use.
2.
a. The odor of musk.
b. An odor similar to musk.
[Middle English, from Old French musc, from Late Latin muscus, from Greek moskhos, from Persian mušk, probably from Sanskrit muṣkaḥ, testicle; see mūs- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
musk
(mʌsk)n
1. (Elements & Compounds) a strong-smelling glandular secretion of the male musk deer, used in perfumery
2. (Elements & Compounds) a similar substance produced by certain other animals, such as the civet and otter, or manufactured synthetically
3. (Plants) 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.
[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]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
musk
(mʌsk)n.
1. a pungent glandular secretion of the male musk deer: used in perfumery.
2. an artificial imitation of the substance.
3. a similar secretion of other animals, as the muskrat.
4. the odor of musk, or some similar odor.
5. any of several plants, as the monkey flower, having a musky fragrance.
[1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French musc) < Late Latin muscus < Late Greek móskos < Middle Persian; compare Persian mushk]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Noun | 1. | musk - an odorous glandular secretion from the male musk deer; used as a perfume fixative secretion - a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell |
2. | musk - the scent of a greasy glandular secretion from the male musk deer scent - an odor left in passing by which a person or animal can be traced |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
musk
[mʌsk]Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
musk
n
(= secretion, smell) → Moschus m
(Bot) → Moschuskraut nt
musk
:musk deer
n → Moschustier nt, → Moschushirsch m
musk duck
n → Moschusente f
musk
:muskmelon
n → Zucker- or Gartenmelone f
musk ox
n → Moschusochse m
muskrat
n → Bisamratte f
musk rose
n → Moschusrose f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995