spermaceti

American  

[spur-muh-set-ee, -see-tee] / ˌspɜr məˈsɛt i, -ˈsi ti /

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. 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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spermaceti British  

/ -ˈsiːtɪ, ˌspɜːməˈsɛtɪ /

noun

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

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spermaceti Scientific  

/ spûr′mə-sē′tē /

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• spermacetilike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of spermaceti

1425–75; late Middle English sperma cete < Medieval Latin sperma cētī sperm of whale ( see sperm ¹, cet-)

Example Sentences

Sperm whales derive their name from the waxy, liquid substance produced in their skulls by a massive biological structure called the spermaceti organ.

From Salon • Aug. 23, 2024

They were nearly decimated by the whaling industry in the 19th and 20th centuries because of the prized waxy substance found in their heads, spermaceti, that was used in oil lamps, lubricants and candles.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 2023

The whales’ names are derived from a semi-liquid waxy substance found in their heads — known as spermaceti — that was once used for lubrication and lamp fuel, according to the National Wildlife Federation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2023

A century before that, this was the capital of the global whaling industry, where liquid spermaceti wax was harvested from the skulls of the leviathans, for processing into candles and lamp oil.

From The Guardian • Nov. 14, 2017

But care must be taken when ironing the spermaceti over the leaves that the hot iron does not touch the stem or wood of the branch.

From The Woodcraft Girls in the City by Roy, Lillian Elizabeth