Main Entry: musk

Pronunciation: \ˈməsk\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English muske, from Middle French musc, from Late Latin muscus, from Late Greek moschos, from Middle Persian *mušk-, from Sanskrit muṣka testicle, from diminutive of mūṣ mouse; akin to Old English mūs mouse

Date: 14th century

1 a : a substance with a penetrating persistent odor obtained from a sac beneath the abdominal skin of the male musk deer and used as a perfume fixative; also : a similar substance from another animal or a synthetic substitute b : the odor of musk; also : an odor resembling musk especially in heaviness or persistence
2 : any of various plants with musky odors; especially : musk plant