zibethttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zibet_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezibet, n.
First published 1921; not fully revised

zibetnoun

  1. 1594–
    A variant of civet n.1, the animal and the perfume; used distinctively (after Buffon) for the Asiatic species of Viverra, V. zibetha, and the secretion it yields (called also zibethum).
    1. 1594
      Next to her genitories, shee hath a little bagge..into the which doeth fall the precious greace or humour, which they call Ciuet and Zibeth.
      T. Blundeville, Exercises v. f. 258
    2. 1607
      The Zibeth, or Sivet-cat.
      E. Topsell, Historie of Foure-footed Beastes 756
    3. 1669
      You would conceive..that some Chymist had dearly purchas'd their more terrene excrements, out of them to exalt his occidental zibith.
      Address to Hopeful Young Gentry 44
    4. 1780
      The zibet is probably the civet of Asia, of the East Indies, and of Arabia.
      W. Smellie, translation of Comte de Buffon, Natural History General & Particular vol. V. 242
    5. 1843
      The marks on the lateral and anterior parts of the neck are very dark in the Zibet.
      Penny Cyclopaedia vol. XXVI. 406

zibet, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.

zibet, n. was last modified in June 2025.