Ox \Ox\ ([o^]ks), n.; pl. Oxen. [AS. oxa; akin to D. os. G.
ochs, ochse, OHG. ohso, Icel. oxi, Sw. & Dan. oxe, Goth.
a['u]hsa, Skr. ukshan ox, bull; cf. Skr. uksh to sprinkle.
[root]214. Cf. Humid, Aurochs.] (Zool.)
The male of bovine quadrupeds, especially the domestic animal
when castrated and grown to its full size, or nearly so. The
word is also applied, as a general name, to any species of
bovine animals, male and female.
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All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field.
--Ps. viii. 7.
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Note: The castrated male is called a steer until it attains
its full growth, and then, an ox; but if castrated
somewhat late in life, it is called a stag. The male,
not castrated, is called a bull. These distinctions are
well established in regard to domestic animals of this
genus. When wild animals of this kind are spoken of, ox
is often applied both to the male and the female. The
name ox is never applied to the individual cow, or
female, of the domestic kind. Oxen may comprehend both
the male and the female.
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Grunting ox (Zool.), the yak.
Indian ox (Zool.), the zebu.
Javan ox (Zool.), the banteng.
Musk ox. (Zool.) See under Musk.
Ox bile. See Ox gall, below.
Ox gall, the fresh gall of the domestic ox; -- used in the
arts and in medicine.
Ox pith, ox marrow. [Obs.] --Marston.
Ox ray (Zool.), a very large ray (Dicerobatis Giornae) of
Southern Europe. It has a hornlike organ projecting
forward from each pectoral fin. It sometimes becomes
twenty feet long and twenty-eight feet broad, and weighs
over a ton. Called also sea devil.
To have the black ox tread on one's foot, to be
unfortunate; to know what sorrow is (because black oxen
were sacrificed to Pluto). --Leigh Hunt.
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Musk \Musk\ (m[u^]sk), n. [F. musc, L. muscus, Per. musk, fr.
Skr. mushka testicle, orig., a little mouse. See Mouse, and
cd. Abelmosk, Muscadel, Muscovy duck, Nutmeg.]
1. A substance of a reddish brown color, and when fresh of
the consistency 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 odor. It is used in medicine as a stimulant
antispasmodic. The term is also applied to secretions of
various other animals, having a similar odor.
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2. (Zool.) The musk deer. See Musk deer (below).
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3. The perfume emitted by musk, or any perfume somewhat
similar.
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4. (Bot.)
(a) The musk plant (Mimulus moschatus).
(b) A plant of the genus Erodium (Erodium moschatum);
-- called also musky heron's-bill.
(c) A plant of the genus Muscari; grape hyacinth.
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Musk beaver (Zool.), muskrat (1).
Musk beetle (Zool.), a European longicorn beetle (Aromia
moschata), having an agreeable odor resembling that of
attar of roses.
Musk cat. See Bondar.
Musk cattle (Zool.), musk oxen. See Musk ox (below).
Musk deer (Zool.), a small hornless deer (Moschus
moschiferus), which inhabits the elevated parts of
Central Asia. The upper canine teeth of the male are
developed into sharp tusks, curved downward. The male has
scent bags on the belly, from which the musk of commerce
is derived. The deer is yellow or red-brown above, whitish
below. The pygmy musk deer are chevrotains, as the kanchil
and napu.
Musk duck. (Zool.)
(a) The Muscovy duck.
(b) An Australian duck (Biziura lobata).
Musk lorikeet (Zool.), the Pacific lorikeet (Glossopsitta
australis) of Australia.
Musk mallow (Bot.), a name of two malvaceous plants:
(a) A species of mallow (Malva moschata), the foliage of
which has a faint musky smell.
(b) An Asiatic shrub. See Abelmosk.
Musk orchis (Bot.), a European plant of the Orchis family
(Herminium Minorchis); -- so called from its peculiar
scent.
Musk ox (Zool.), an Arctic hollow-horned ruminant (Ovibos
moschatus), now existing only in America, but found
fossil in Europe and Asia. It is covered with a thick coat
of fine yellowish wool, and with long dark hair, which is
abundant and shaggy on the neck and shoulders. The
full-grown male weighs over four hundred pounds.
Musk parakeet. (Zool.) Same as Musk lorikeet (above).
Musk pear (Bot.), a fragrant kind of pear much resembling
the Seckel pear.
Musk plant (Bot.), the Mimulus moschatus, a plant found
in Western North America, often cultivated, and having a
strong musky odor.
Musk root (Bot.), the name of several roots with a strong
odor, as that of the nard (Nardostachys Jatamansi) and
of a species of Angelica.
Musk rose (Bot.), a species of rose (Rosa moschata),
having peculiarly fragrant white blossoms.
Musk seed (Bot.), the seed of a plant of the Mallow family
(Hibiscus moschatus), used in perfumery and in
flavoring. See Abelmosk.
Musk sheep (Zool.), the musk ox.
Musk shrew (Zool.), a shrew (Sorex murinus), found in
India. It has a powerful odor of musk. Called also
sondeli, and mondjourou.
Musk thistle (Bot.), a species of thistle (Carduus
nutans), having fine large flowers, and leaves smelling
strongly of musk.
Musk tortoise, Musk turtle (Zool.), a small American
fresh-water tortoise (Armochelys odorata syn. Ozotheca
odorata), which has a distinct odor of musk; -- called
also stinkpot.
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