from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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2. (Zool.) The musk deer. See {Musk deer} (below).
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3. The perfume emitted by musk, or any perfume somewhat
similar.
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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.
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{Musk beaver} (Zool.), muskrat (1).
{Musk beetle} (Zool.), a European longicorn beetle ({Aromia
moschata}), having an agreeable odor resembling that of
attar of roses.
{Musk cat}. See {Bondar}.
{Musk cattle} (Zool.), musk oxen. See {Musk ox} (below).
{Musk deer} (Zool.), 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}. (Zool.)
(a) The Muscovy duck.
(b) An Australian duck ({Biziura lobata}).
{Musk lorikeet} (Zool.), 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} (Zool.), 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}. (Zool.) 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} (Zool.), the musk ox.
{Musk shrew} (Zool.), 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} (Zool.), a small American
fresh-water tortoise ({Armochelys odorata} syn. {Ozotheca
odorata}), which has a distinct odor of musk; -- called
also {stinkpot}.
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