mʌsk n. 1 a strong-smelling reddish-brown
substance produced by a gland in
the male musk
deer and used as an
ingredient in perfumes. 2 the
plant,
Mimulus moschatus,
with pale-green
ovate leaves and
yellow flowers (orig. with a
smell of musk
which is no longer
perceptible in
modern varieties). ømusk deer
any small Asian deer of the
genus Moschus, having no antlers and in the male having long protruding
canine teeth. musk duck the
Australian duck Biziura lobata, having a musky smell. musk
melon the
common yellow or
green melon, Cucumis melo, usu. with a raised
network of markings on the
skin. musk ox a
large goat-antelope, Ovibos moschatus,
native to N. America, with a
thick shaggy coat and small curved horns. musk-rose a
rambling rose, Rosa moschata, with large
white flowers smelling of musk. musk
thistle a nodding thistle, Carduus nutans,
whose flowers
have a musky
fragrance. musk-tree (or -wood) an Australian
tree, Olearia argophylla, with a musky smell. øømusky adj. (muskier, muskiest). muskiness n. [ME f. LL muscus f. Pers. musk, perh. f. Skr. muska
scrotum (from the
shape of the musk deer's gland)]
