spermaceti

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

/ ˌspɜr məˈsɛt i, -ˈsi ti /

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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.

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Also called cetaceum.

Origin of spermaceti

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

OTHER WORDS FROM spermaceti

sper·ma·cet·i·like, adjective

Words nearby spermaceti

spent gnat, speos, Speranski, sperm, sperma-, spermaceti, spermacytic seminoma, spermagonium, -spermal, spermary, sperm-aster

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use spermaceti in a sentence

Spermaceti is a perfectly definite chemical body, which can be recognised without chance of error.
More Science From an Easy Chair|Sir E. Ray (Edwin Ray) Lankester
Spermaceti is pulverised as camphor, by the aid of a few drops of spirit.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
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, the solid waxy body carried round in the Cachalot's head in solution, is a valuable whale-product.
The New North|Agnes Deans Cameron

Spermaceti is identical in its physical properties with paraffine, and the latter is now almost universally its substitute.
Commercial Geography|Jacques W. Redway

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

Scientific 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.