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civet
(redirected from civets)

   Also found in: Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
civ·et  (svt)
n.
1. Any of various carnivorous catlike mammals of the family Viverridae of Africa and Asia, having anal scent glands that secrete a fluid with a musky odor. Also called civet cat.
2. The thick yellowish musky fluid secreted by one of these mammals, used in the manufacture of perfumes.
3. The fur of one of these mammals.

[French civette, from Old French, from Catalan civetta, from Medieval Latin zibethus, from Arabic zabd, civet perfume.]

civet [ˈsɪvɪt]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any catlike viverrine mammal of the genus Viverra and related genera, of Africa and S Asia, typically having blotched or spotted fur and secreting a powerfully smelling fluid from anal glands
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) the yellowish fatty secretion of such an animal, used as a fixative in the manufacture of perfumes
3. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Textiles) the fur of such an animal
4. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) short for palm civet
[from Old French civette, from Italian zibetto, from Arabic zabād civet perfume]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.civet - cat-like mammal typically secreting musk used in perfumescivet - cat-like mammal typically secreting musk used in perfumes
viverrine, viverrine mammal - small cat-like predatory mammals of warmer parts of the Old World
large civet, Viverra zibetha - common civet of India and southeast Asia
small civet, Viverricula indica, Viverricula malaccensis - a common civet of southeast Asia
Arctictis bintourong, bearcat, binturong - arboreal civet of Asia having a long prehensile tail and shaggy black hair
Cryptoprocta, genus Cryptoprocta - large primitive cat-like carnivores inhabiting forests of Madagascar
fanaloka, Fossa fossa - civet of Madagascar
banded palm civet, Hemigalus hardwickii - an East Indian civet
palm cat, palm civet - spotted or striped arboreal civet of southeast Asia and East Indies
Translations
civet [ˈsɪvɪt] Nalgalia f
civet
n (= substance)Zibet m; (= cat)Zibetkatze f
civet [ˈsɪvɪt] nzibetto


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It is believed that enzymes in the civets digestive system break down the flesh of the fruit before the animals expel the bean.
From the 25 animals sampled, viruses closely related to SARS-CoV were detected in 3 masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) and 1 raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides).
On coffee plantations, civets dine heavily on coffee cherries.
 
 
 
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