spermaceti

[ spur-muh-set-ee, -see-tee ]

/ ˌspɜr məˈsɛt i, -ˈsi ti /

noun Chemistry, Pharmacology.

a pearly white, waxy, translucent solid, obtained from the oil in the head of the sperm whale: used chiefly in cosmetics and candles, and as an emollient.

Nearby words

sperm washing, sperm whale, sperm-, sperm-aster, sperma-, spermaceti, spermacytic seminoma, spermagonium, spermary, spermatangium, spermatheca

Origin of spermaceti

1425–75; late Middle English sperma cete < Medieval Latin sperma cētī sperm of whale (see sperm¹, cet-)

Also called cetaceum.

Related forms

sper·ma·cet·i·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for spermaceti

Spermaceti candles of definite size form the measure of electric light, giving rise to the phrase "of so many candle-power."
The New North|Agnes Deans Cameron
Spermaceti is pulverised as camphor, by the aid of a few drops of spirit.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
Spermaceti ointment is simple and well adapted for the purpose.
The Ladies Book of Useful Information|Anonymous
Spermaceti experimented with in the same manner gave striking results.
Experimental Researches in Electricity, Volume 1|Michael Faraday

Spermaceti, the solid waxy body carried round in the Cachalot's head in solution, is a valuable whale-product.
The New North|Agnes Deans Cameron

British Dictionary definitions for spermaceti

spermaceti

/ (ˌspɜːməˈsɛtɪ, -ˈsiːtɪ) /

noun

a white waxy substance obtained from oil from the head of the sperm whale: used in cosmetics, candles, ointments, etc

Word Origin for spermaceti

C15: from Medieval Latin sperma cētī whale's sperm, from sperma sperm 1 + Latin cētus whale, from Greek kētos

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

Science definitions for spermaceti

spermaceti

[ spûr′mə-sē′tē ]

A white, waxy substance that is obtained from the head of the sperm whale and sometimes other whales, porpoises, and dolphins, and was once widely used to make candles, ointments, and cosmetics. Spermaceti is a liquid at body temperature and consists primarily of fatty alcohols and esters of fatty acids. Spermaceti is produced by the spermaceti organ, a huge melon-shaped sac that may function as a battering ram in aggressive behavior between males.