ETYM French civette (cf. Italian zibetto) civet, civet cat, from LGr. zapetion, from Arabic zubâd, zabâd, civet.
Catlike mammal typically secreting musk used in perfumes; SYN. civet cat.
Musklike substance, used as perfume, obtained from civet cat. civet cat, banded and spotted catlike animal of Africa.
Small to medium-sized carnivorous mammal found in Africa and Asia, belonging to the family Viverridae, which also includes mongooses and genets. Distant relations of cats, they generally have longer jaws and more teeth. All have a scent gland in the inguinal (groin) region. Extracts from this gland are taken from the African civet Civettictis civetta and used in perfumery.
As well as eating animal matter, many species, for example, the SE Asian palm civet Arctogalidia trivirgata, are fond of fruit.