| musk | 1. A substance of a reddish brown colour, and when fresh of the consistence of honey, obtained from a bag being behind the navel of the male musk deer. It has a slightly bitter taste, but is specially remarkable for its powerful and enduring odour. It is used in medicine as a stimulant antispasmodic. The term is also applied to secretions of various other animals, having a similar odour. 2. <zoology> The musk deer. See Musk deer (below). 3. The perfume emitted by musk, or any perfume somewhat similar. 4. <botany> The musk plant (Mimulus moschatus). A plant of the genus Erodium (E. Moschatum); called also musky heron's-bill. A plant of the genus Muscari; grape hyacinth. Musk beaver, a small American fresh water tortoise (Armochelys, or Ozotheca, odorata), which has a distinct odour of musk; called also stinkpot. Origin: F. Musc, L. Muscus, Per. Musk, fr. Skr. Mushka testicle, orig, a little mouse. See Mouse, and cd. Abelmosk, Muscadel, Muscovy duck, Nutmeg. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| MuSK kinase | <enzyme> Specific to skeletal muscle; genbank u34985 Registry number: EC 2.7.1.- Synonym: muscle-spefic kinase musk (26 Jun 1999) |
| muskeag moss | A highly absorbent moss used as a substitute for absorbent cotton or gauze in surgical dressing and sanitary napkins. Synonym: muskeag moss, peat moss. (05 Mar 2000) |
| muskellunge | <zoology> A large American pike (Esox nobilitor) found in the Great Lakes, and other Northern lakes, and in the St. Lawrence River. It is valued as a food fish. Alternative forms: maskallonge, maskinonge, muskallonge, muskellonge, and muskelunjeh. Origin: From the Amer. Indian name. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| musket | 1. <zoology> The male of the sparrow hawk. 2. A species of firearm formerly carried by the infantry of an army. It was originally fired by means of a match, or matchlock, for which several mechanical appliances (including the flintlock, and finally the percussion lock) were successively substituted. This arm has been generally superseded by the rifle. Origin: F. Mousquet, It. Moschetto, formerly, a kind of hawk; cf. OF. Mousket, moschet, a kind of hawk falcon, F. Mouchet, prop, a little fly (the hawk prob. Being named from its size), fr. L. Musca a fly. Cf. Mosquito] [Sometimes written also musquet. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| muskmelon | <botany> The fruit of a cucubritaceous plant (Cicumis Melo), having a peculiar aromatic flavor, and cultivated in many varieties, the principal sorts being the cantaloupe, of oval form and yellowish flesh, and the smaller nutmeg melon with greenish flesh. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| muskogees | <ethnology> A powerful tribe of North American Indians that formerly occupied the region of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. They constituted a large part of the Creek confederacy. Alternative forms: Muscogees. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| muskrat | 1. <zoology> A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent (Fibre zibethicus). It resembles a rat in colour and having a long scaly tail, but the tail is compressed, the bind feet are webbed, and the ears are concealed in the fur. It has scent glands which secrete a substance having a strong odour of musk. Called also musquash, musk beaver, and ondatra. 2. <zoology> The musk shrew. 3. <zoology> The desman. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| muskwood | <botany> The wood of a West Indian tree of the Mahogany family (Moschoxylum Swartzii). The wood of an Australian tree (Eurybia argophylla). Origin: So called from its fragrance. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |