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  

/ -ˌɡrɪs, ˈæmbəˌɡriːs /

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

Example Sentences

Ambergris can be carried by ocean waves for a hundred years or more before washing up on the shore and being bottled.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2022

San Pedro on Ambergris Caye is the perfect place.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2022

Those who fall into the latter camp would be hard-pressed to find a better place to pursue a trifecta than El Pescador Resort on Ambergris Caye.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2017

Figure 18.10 Foraminifera from the Ambergris Caye area of Belize.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Ambergris, am′bėr-grēs, n. a fragrant substance of an ash-gray colour, found floating on the sea or on the seacoast of warm countries, and in the intestines of the spermaceti whale.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various