civet cat

noun

1. cacomistle.
2. the fur of the cacomistle.
3. Western U.S. skunk.

Word History and Origins

Origin of civet cat¹

An Americanism dating back to 1600–10

Example Sentences

In fact, another coronavirus, the 2003 SARS virus, was found to have jumped from bats to civet cats before making the leap to humans.

From Vox

There was a secondary source, a wildlife animal, the civet cat.

From Nautilus

Muske-catthe civet-cat; applied as a term of contempt to a fop, as being a person perfumed with musk.

From Project Gutenberg

He talks like a parrot, looks like a woman, dresses like a monkey, and smells like a civet-cat.

From Project Gutenberg

By-and-by a civet cat comes stealing through the bush, till he observes me, and hastily departs.

From Project Gutenberg

The porcupine, the squirrel, the civet cat, the ichneumon and the otter are common.

From Project Gutenberg

I had a civet-cat the other day, too; but it ran away, after scratching my monkey's cheek, and I am in search of it still.

From Project Gutenberg