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

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

The prized waxy substance found in their heads, spermaceti, was used in oil lamps, lubricants and candles.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 16, 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

Commercially these animals are of importance on account of the oil yielded by the blubber of all of them; while whalebone, spermaceti and ambergris are still more valuable products yielded by certain species.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 7 "Cerargyrite" to "Charing Cross" by Various