CIVET

civet. Civet, n. an animal of the weasel genus, the perfume which the animal yields

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Civ″et (sĭv″ĕt), n. [[F. civette (cf. It. zibetto) civet, civet cat, fr. LGr. ζαπέτιον, fr. Ar. zubād, zabād, civet.]] 1. 1. A substance, of the consistence of butter or honey, taken from glands in the anal pouch of the civet (Viverra civetta). It is of clear yellowish or brownish color, of a strong, musky odor, offensive when undiluted, but agreeable when a small portion is mixed with another substance. It is used as a perfume.
2. 2. (Zoöl) The animal that produces civet (Viverra civetta); — called also civet cat. It is carnivorous, from two to three feet long, and of a brownish gray color, with transverse black bands and spots on the body and tail. It is a native of northern Africa and of Asia. The name is also applied to other species of the subfamily Viverrinae.