1. civet - Noun
2. civet - Verb
A substance, of the consistence of butter or honey, taken from glands in the anal pouch of the civet (Viverra civetta). It is of clear yellowish or brownish color, of a strong, musky odor, offensive when undiluted, but agreeable when a small portion is mixed with another substance. It is used as a perfume.
The animal that produces civet (Viverra civetta); -- called also civet cat. It is carnivorous, from two to three feet long, and of a brownish gray color, with transverse black bands and spots on the body and tail. It is a native of northern Africa and of Asia. The name is also applied to other species.
To scent or perfume with civet.
Source: Webster's dictionaryI cannot talk with civet in the room, A fine puss-gentleman that 's all perfume. William Cowper
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), SARS-CoV was transmitted to humans from civet cats, and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels. Source: Internet
All kinds of shame seemed to be wrapped up in it: the shame of leaving your civet trace, or the shame of odorlessness, not leaving one.” Source: Internet
But we still don't know where the virus first passed to humans, and if it transferred through another animal intermediary, such as a pangolin or a civet cat, before infecting humans. Source: Internet
For example, during the 2002 SARS epidemic, a ban on the consumption of civet cats — identified as an intermediary host of that coronavirus — is credited with having helped prevent the reintroduction of the virus into humans. Source: Internet
The coronavirus that causes SARS was traced to the civet cat, a wild animal considered a delicacy in parts of southern China, where the epidemic first broke out. Source: Internet