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sperm oil

noun

, Chemistry.
  1. a yellow, thin, water-insoluble liquid obtained from the sperm whale, used chiefly as a lubricant in light machinery, as watches, clocks, and scientific apparatus.


sperm oil

noun

  1. an oil obtained from the head of the sperm whale, used as a lubricant
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sperm oil1

First recorded in 1820–30
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Example Sentences

And no, I'm not suggesting that we go back to burning sperm oil.

From Salon

“Squeeze! squeeze! squeeze!” he writes, in “Moby-Dick,” about pressing the lumps out of sperm oil.

The tables include name of the vessel, its class, tonnage, captain, managing owner, whaling ground, date of sailing and arrival, sperm oil / whale oil / whalebone barrels and pounds.

From Salon

An excellent polishing composition is formed of water 1 gill, sperm oil 3 drops, and sufficient Vienna lime to well whiten the mixture.

In August following arrived the "Romulus," with 170 bbls. sperm oil.

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