MUSK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does musk mean? 

• MUSK (noun)
  The noun MUSK has 2 senses:

1. an odorous glandular secretion from the male musk deer; used as a perfume fixative

2. the scent of a greasy glandular secretion from the male musk deer

  Familiarity information: MUSK used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MUSK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An odorous glandular secretion from the male musk deer; used as a perfume fixative

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("musk" is a kind of...):

secretion (a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The scent of a greasy glandular secretion from the male musk deer

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("musk" is a kind of...):

scent (an odor left in passing by which a person or animal can be traced)

Derivation:

musky (resembling the smell of musk)

 Context examples 

No,—I exaggerate; I never thought there was any consecrating virtue about her: it was rather a sort of pastille perfume she had left; a scent of musk and amber, than an odour of sanctity.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)