ambergris
[ am-ber-grees, -gris ]
/ ˈæm bərˌgris, -grɪs /
noun
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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Origin of ambergris
1375–1425; <Middle French ambre gris gray amber (see amber); replacing late Middle English imbergres
Words nearby ambergris
amber, Amber Alert, amberfish, amber fluid, amber gambler, ambergris, amberina, Amber Islands, amberjack, amberoid, ambi-
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for ambergris
British Dictionary definitions for ambergris
ambergris
/ (ˈæmbəˌɡriːs, -ˌɡrɪs) /
noun
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
Word Origin for ambergris
C15: from Old French ambre gris grey amber
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for ambergris
ambergris
[ ăm′bər-grĭs′, -grēs′ ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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