spermaceti Hear it!

spermaceti definition

sper·ma·ceti (spʉr′mə sēt′ī′, -sēt′ē; -set′-)

noun

a white, waxlike substance taken from the oil in the head of a sperm whale or dolphin, used in making cosmetics, ointments, candles, etc.

Etymology: ML sperma ceti, lit., whale sperm < LL sperma, sperm + L ceti, gen. of cetus, whale < Gr kētos

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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