Ambergris Definition
ămbər-grĭs, -grēs
noun
A waxy grayish substance from the intestines of sperm whales that was used as a fixative and a fragrance in the manufacture of perfumes. It is found floating at sea or washed ashore and was formerly extracted from whale carcasses.
American Heritage
A grayish, waxy substance from the intestines of sperm whales, often found floating in tropical seas.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- perfumery
- parfum
Origin of Ambergris
Old French ambre gris (“grey amber”). Though the term was initially spaced as two words, single-word forms predominated by the 19th century. In the 17th century, folk etymologies interpreting the term as amber grease or amber [of] Greece enjoyed some popularity.
From Wiktionary
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Middle English from Old French ambre gris ambre amber amber gris gray grisaille
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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