noun
civet
SIV-it
Civet (noun) means a small, catlike, meat-eating mammal from tropical Africa or Asia. Example: “A civet was caught on the camera trap at night.”
noun
1
A small, catlike, meat-eating mammal from tropical Africa or Asia.
"A civet was caught on the camera trap at night."
"Civets are found in forests across parts of Asia."
"The civet climbed along the branch."
2
A musky perfume substance produced by the animal.
"The old perfume contained civet."
"Civet gives a strong, musky note."
How to use civet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small catlike animal, or the musky scent it gives off.
When to use it
Neutral, with the perfume sense being more specialist.
Common pairings
civet cat
wild civet
civet perfume
civet musk
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A _____ was caught on the camera trap at night.
Etymology
The word came into English from French civette, which came from Italian zibetto. That in turn goes back to Medieval Latin zibethum and Arabic zabād.
Synonyms
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civet cat
Rhymes for civet
See all rhymes for civet →Frequently asked questions
What is a civet?
A civet is a small, catlike, carnivorous mammal found in tropical Africa and Asia.
What is civet used for in perfume?
Civet is the musky substance the animal produces, which has been used in perfume.
What is the plural of civet?
The plural is civets.
What is the meaning of civet?
"civet" (noun) means a small, catlike, meat-eating mammal from tropical Africa or Asia.
