1. 1. A greasy secretion with a powerful odor, produced in a glandular sac beneath the skin of the abdomen of the male musk deer and used in the manufacture of perfumes.
   2. A similar secretion produced by certain other animals, such as the otter or civet.
   3. A synthetic chemical resembling natural musk in odor or use.
2. 1. The odor of musk.
   2. An odor similar to musk.
3. A musk deer.

[Middle English, from Old French musc, from Late Latin muscus, from Greek moskhos, from Persian mušk, probably from Sanskrit muṣkaḥ, testicle.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.