ambergris

American  

[am-ber-grees, -gris] / ˈæm bərˌgris, -grɪs /

noun

1. an opaque, ash-colored secretion of the sperm whale intestine, usually found floating on the ocean or cast ashore: used in perfumery.

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ambergris British  

/ ˈæmbəˌɡriːs, -ˌɡrɪs /

noun

1. a waxy substance consisting mainly of cholesterol secreted by the intestinal tract of the sperm whale and often found floating in the sea: used in the manufacture of perfumes

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ambergris Scientific  

/ ăm′bər-grĭs′,-grēs′ /

1. A yellow, gray, or black waxy material formed in the intestines of sperm whales that consists of a mixture of steroid derivatives. It is often found floating at sea or washed ashore, has a pleasant odor, and is added to perfumes as a fixative to slow down the rate of evaporation.

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Etymology

Origin of ambergris

1375–1425; < Middle French ambre gris gray amber ( see amber); replacing late Middle English imbergres

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ambergris

His first fragrance was Davidoff’s Cool Water — a cult classic masculine marine fragrance with notes of rosemary, sea water and ambergris.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2024

Infused with citrus peel, jasmine, vanilla, musk and ambergris, chocolate was an expensive commodity, and chocolate houses often charged an entry fee.

From BBC ● Dec. 10, 2023

Unlike earlier consecration oils, no ambergris — a product of whale intestine — was used, making the oil “vegan-friendly” according to media reports.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 30, 2023

Fittingly, like the ambergris in Memento Mori, the scent of Oud is the scent of a wound.

From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2022

The air seemed hot and somehow breathless with the scent of ambergris and sandalwood.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

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