noun
musk
muhsk
noun
1
A strong-smelling substance produced by certain animals, especially the male musk deer, used in making perfume.
"The perfume had a deep base note of musk beneath the citrus top notes."
2
The heavy, earthy scent associated with this substance, or a synthetic version of it.
"Her jumper still carried a faint musk of the incense from the shop."
How to Use Musk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rich, animal-derived scent used in perfume, or the smell itself.
Common pairings
musk deer
a musky scent
notes of musk
Word Forms
musked past tense, musks plural, Musks plural, musks singular
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The perfume had a deep base note of _____ beneath the citrus top notes.
Etymology
From Old French musc, tracing back through Late Latin and Greek to a Persian and ultimately Sanskrit word for "testicle" — a reference to the shape of the gland that produces the scent.