Musk ox

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 consistency of honey, obtained from a bag being behind the navel of the male musk deer. It has a slightly bitter taste, but is specially remarkable for its powerful and enduring odor. It is used in medicine as a stimulant antispasmodic. The term is also applied to secretions of various other animals, having a similar odor. [1913 Webster]

2. (Zo["o]l.) The musk deer. See {Musk deer} (below). [1913 Webster]

3. The perfume emitted by musk, or any perfume somewhat similar. [1913 Webster]

4. (Bot.) (a) The musk plant ({Mimulus moschatus}). (b) A plant of the genus {Erodium} ({Erodium moschatum}); -- called also {musky heron's-bill}. (c) A plant of the genus {Muscari}; grape hyacinth. [1913 Webster]

{Musk beaver} (Zo["o]l.), muskrat (1).

{Musk beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a European longicorn beetle ({Aromia moschata}), having an agreeable odor resembling that of attar of roses.

{Musk cat}. See {Bondar}.

{Musk cattle} (Zo["o]l.), musk oxen. See {Musk ox} (below).

{Musk deer} (Zo["o]l.), a small hornless deer ({Moschus moschiferus}), which inhabits the elevated parts of Central Asia. The upper canine teeth of the male are developed into sharp tusks, curved downward. The male has scent bags on the belly, from which the musk of commerce is derived. The deer is yellow or red-brown above, whitish below. The pygmy musk deer are chevrotains, as the kanchil and napu.

{Musk duck}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The Muscovy duck. (b) An Australian duck ({Biziura lobata}).

{Musk lorikeet} (Zo["o]l.), the Pacific lorikeet ({Glossopsitta australis}) of Australia.

{Musk mallow} (Bot.), a name of two malvaceous plants: (a) A species of mallow ({Malva moschata}), the foliage of which has a faint musky smell. (b) An Asiatic shrub. See {Abelmosk}.

{Musk orchis} (Bot.), a European plant of the Orchis family ({Herminium Minorchis}); -- so called from its peculiar scent.

{Musk ox} (Zo["o]l.), an Arctic hollow-horned ruminant ({Ovibos moschatus}), now existing only in America, but found fossil in Europe and Asia. It is covered with a thick coat of fine yellowish wool, and with long dark hair, which is abundant and shaggy on the neck and shoulders. The full-grown male weighs over four hundred pounds.

{Musk parakeet}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Musk lorikeet} (above).

{Musk pear} (Bot.), a fragrant kind of pear much resembling the Seckel pear.

{Musk plant} (Bot.), the {Mimulus moschatus}, a plant found in Western North America, often cultivated, and having a strong musky odor.

{Musk root} (Bot.), the name of several roots with a strong odor, as that of the nard ({Nardostachys Jatamansi}) and of a species of {Angelica}.

{Musk rose} (Bot.), a species of rose ({Rosa moschata}), having peculiarly fragrant white blossoms.

{Musk seed} (Bot.), the seed of a plant of the Mallow family ({Hibiscus moschatus}), used in perfumery and in flavoring. See {Abelmosk}.

{Musk sheep} (Zo["o]l.), the musk ox.

{Musk shrew} (Zo["o]l.), a shrew ({Sorex murinus}), found in India. It has a powerful odor of musk. Called also {sondeli}, and {mondjourou}.

{Musk thistle} (Bot.), a species of thistle ({Carduus nutans}), having fine large flowers, and leaves smelling strongly of musk.

{Musk tortoise}, {Musk turtle} (Zo["o]l.), a small American fresh-water tortoise ({Armochelys odorata} syn. {Ozotheca odorata}), which has a distinct odor of musk; -- called also {stinkpot}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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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 — 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 — (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… …   Etymology dictionary

  • 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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