musk

musk
musk (n.) late 14c., from O.Fr. musc (13c.) and directly from L.L. muscus, from Late Gk. moskhos, from Pers. mushk, from Skt. muska-s "testicle," from mus "mouse" (so called, presumably, for resemblance; see MUSCLE (Cf. muscle)). The deer gland was thought to resemble a scrotum. German has moschos, from a Medieval Latin form of the Late Greek word. Spanish has almizcle, from Arabic al misk "the musk," from Persian. Applied to various plants and animals of similar smell (e.g. musk-ox, 1744).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Musk — (m[u^]sk), n. [F. musc, L. muscus, Per. musk, fr. Skr. mushka testicle, orig., a little mouse. See {Mouse}, and cd. {Abelmosk}, {Muscadel}, {Muscovy duck}, {Nutmeg}.] 1. A substance of a reddish brown color, and when fresh of the consistency of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Musk ox — Musk Musk (m[u^]sk), n. [F. musc, L. muscus, Per. musk, fr. Skr. mushka testicle, orig., a little mouse. See {Mouse}, and cd. {Abelmosk}, {Muscadel}, {Muscovy duck}, {Nutmeg}.] 1. A substance of a reddish brown color, and when fresh of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • musk ox — n. a hardy ox (Ovibos moschatus) of arctic America and Greenland, with a long, coarse, hairy coat, large, curved horns, and a musklike odor * * * Arctic ruminant (bovid species Ovibos moschatus) with a musky odour, large head, and small ears. The …   Universalium

  • musk — /musk/, n. 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… …   Universalium

  • musk — [musk] n. [OFr musc < LL muscus < Gr moschos < Pers mušk, musk < Sans muṣka, testicle, dim. of mus,MOUSE] 1. a substance with a strong, penetrating odor, obtained from a small sac (musk bag) under the skin of the abdomen in the male… …   English World dictionary

  • musk — ► NOUN 1) a strong smelling substance secreted by the male musk deer, used as an ingredient in perfumery. 2) (also musk plant) a musk scented plant related to the monkey flower. DERIVATIVES muskiness noun musky adjective (muskier, muskiest) …   English terms dictionary

  • musk — musk; musk·ish; musk·melon; musk·rat; abel·musk; …   English syllables

  • Musk — (m[u^]sk), v. t. To perfume with musk. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • musk ox — plural musk oxen n a large animal with long brown or black hair and curved horns, which lives in northern Canada and Greenland …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • musk — [mʌsk] n [U] [Date: 1300 1400; : French; Origin: musc, from Late Latin muscus, from Greek moschos, from Persian mushk, from Sanskrit muska testicle ; because the substance comes from a part of a deer near its testicles] 1.) a substance with a… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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