civet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “civet” mean?
A small, nocturnal, cat-like mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, or a strong-smelling substance produced by its glands, used in perfumery.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, nocturnal, cat-like mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, or a strong-smelling substance produced by its glands, used in perfumery.
Refers broadly to the animal family Viverridae. Figuratively, can denote the musk-like perfume ingredient derived from the animal. In some contexts, used to describe a coffee variety processed by the animal (kopi luwak).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Pronunciations differ slightly.
Connotations
Identical: exotic animal, niche perfume ingredient, or specialty coffee.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, encountered mainly in specialized texts, nature documentaries, or discussions of luxury goods.
Grammar
How to Use “civet” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] civetCivet [VERB: secretes, produces][ADJ: synthetic, pure] civetExtract from a civetVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “civet” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The civet scent was overpowering.
- They studied civet behaviour.
American English
- A civet-based fragrance.
- Civet populations are declining.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the niche perfume industry, referring to a traditional animal-derived fixative.
Academic
In zoology and ecology papers discussing Viverridae species distribution and behavior.
Everyday
Rare. Most likely in discussions of exotic animals, very expensive coffee (kopi luwak), or historical perfumery.
Technical
Precise term for the mammal or its perineal gland secretion (civet absolute) in perfumery and taxonomy.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “civet”
- Mispronouncing as /saɪˈvɛt/ or /ˈkɪv.ɪt/.
- Confusing 'civet cat' with actual felines; it is a separate family.
- Using it as a general term for any musky scent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a true cat. While commonly called a 'civet cat', it belongs to the separate family Viverridae within the order Carnivora.
Natural civet is rarely used due to ethical and legal concerns regarding animal welfare. Synthetic civetone is now almost universally used as a substitute.
Kopi luwak is a coffee made from beans that have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The digestive process is said to alter the beans' flavour. Its production often involves animal cruelty in captive conditions.
It is pronounced /ˈsɪv.ɪt/ (SIV-it), with a short 'i' sound in both syllables, in both British and American English.
A small, nocturnal, cat-like mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, or a strong-smelling substance produced by its glands, used in perfumery.
Civet is usually technical/scientific in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Sieve it' - imagine sifting coffee beans that have passed through a CIVET.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXOTIC SOURCE OF SCENT/FLAVOUR (The civet is a source for both a potent perfume ingredient and a unique coffee).
Practice
Quiz
In which industry is 'civet' most likely to be a technical term?