Musks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group of fragrant substances derived from the glands of certain animals used in perfumes and flavorings
2. A strong-smelling organic compound found in certain plants, often employed in the essence industry
3. Natural secretions from specific creatures that are utilized in the formulation of scented products and cosmetics

Etymology: The most surprising thing about "musks" is that its root meaning is anatomical rather than fragrant. In Sanskrit, "muṣka" meant "testicle," and it was used for the gland of animals that produces the substance, whose shape was thought to resemble that organ. The name ultimately comes from "mūṣ," meaning "mouse," because the testicles were compared to mice. The Sanskrit term passed west through Middle Persian "mušk" and Persian "mošk," then into Ancient Greek as "móskhos" and Late Latin as "muscus." Old French "musc" carried it into Middle English as "muske," which is where the English word entered. "Musks" is simply the plural of "musk," used when referring to several distinct scents or several batches of the substance. The base word shares its ancestry with "mouse" in Proto-Indo-European.