sperm oil

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a yellow, thin, water-insoluble liquid obtained from the sperm whale, used chiefly as a lubricant in light machinery, as watches, clocks, and scientific apparatus.

sperm oil

noun

1. an oil obtained from the head of the sperm whale, used as a lubricant

Word History and Origins

Origin of sperm oil¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

And no, I'm not suggesting that we go back to burning sperm oil.

From Salon

“Squeeze! squeeze! squeeze!” he writes, in “Moby-Dick,” about pressing the lumps out of sperm oil.

From The New Yorker

The tables include name of the vessel, its class, tonnage, captain, managing owner, whaling ground, date of sailing and arrival, sperm oil / whale oil / whalebone barrels and pounds.

From Salon

An excellent polishing composition is formed of water 1 gill, sperm oil 3 drops, and sufficient Vienna lime to well whiten the mixture.

From Project Gutenberg

In August following arrived the "Romulus," with 170 bbls. sperm oil.

From Project Gutenberg