: any of a genus (Genetta) of small Old World usually carnivorous viverrid mammals related to the civets and having retractile claws, spotted or striped fur, and a ringed tail
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebPredators include mongooses, genets, jackals, domestic dogs and cats, owls, and snakes.National Geographic, 19 Nov. 2019 Federal officials said inspectors identified the skins were from bushbucks, a species of antelope in sub-Saharan Africa, and from genets and civets, small catlike mammals.Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2019 The skins and heads were identified as being from the bushback species of antelope, and genet and civet, which are cat-like mammals, according to CBP and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) inspectors.Fox News, 11 Oct. 2019 Lions, cheetahs and leopards may be spotted during the day, while night brings out a parade of smaller carnivores, including serval, genets, civets, pale foxes and honey badgers. Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 14 May 2018
Word History
Etymology
Middle English genete, from Anglo-French, ultimately from Arabic jarnayṭ