civet cat

2 definitions found

civet cat - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Civet \Civ"et\ (s[i^]v"[e^]t), n. [F. civette (cf. It. zibetto)
     civet, civet cat, fr. LGr. zape`tion, fr. Ar. zub[=a]d,
     zab[=a]d, civet.]
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool) 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.
        [1913 Webster]

civet cat - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  civet cat
      n 1: raccoon-like omnivorous mammal of Mexico and the
           southwestern United States having a long bushy tail with
           black and white rings [syn: bassarisk, cacomistle,
           cacomixle, coon cat, raccoon fox, ringtail, ring- tailed cat
           , civet cat, miner's cat, Bassariscus astutus
           ]
      2: cat-like mammal typically secreting musk used in perfumes
         [syn: civet, civet cat]