Muscat

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈmʌskæt/

Definitions

1. A variety of grape known for its sweet, aromatic flavor ; a type of wine produced from these grapes, often sweet and fragrant ; the capital city of Oman located on the Arabian Peninsula
2. A grape species characterized by its distinct sweetness and strong aroma ; a wine created using this grape, typically possessing a floral and fruity profile ; a large coastal city serving as Oman’s administrative and economic center
3. A sweet and aromatic grape cultivar used in winemaking ; an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting juice from this grape, renowned for its distinct scent and taste ; a major urban area in the Middle East that serves as the capital of Oman

Etymology: The grape gets its name from its scent. Muscat is borrowed from French, where "muscat" comes from Provençal "muscat", a word tied to musk, the strong perfume once taken from the musk deer. Wine made from these grapes is said to smell of musk, and the name passed into French and then English to describe the grape and its sweet wine. The same word also names the Omani capital, Muscat, a port city on the Gulf of Oman. The city is an unrelated place name, so the matching spelling is a coincidence rather than a shared origin. The grape and wine sense is the one that carries the etymology.