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.
The thick yellowish musky fluid secreted by one of these mammals, used in the manufacture of perfumes.
The fur of one of these mammals.
[French civette, from Old French, from Catalan civetta, from Medieval Latin zibethus, from Arabic zabād, civet perfume.]
Main Entry: civet cat Function: noun : any of several carnivorous mammals (family Viverridae); especially: a long-bodied short-legged African animal(Civettictis civetta) that produces most of the civet of commerce
(sĭv'ĭt) 
