spermaceti

[ spur-muh-set-ee, -see-tee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Chemistry, Pharmacology.

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.

spermaceti

/ -ˈsiːtɪ; ˌspɜːməˈsɛtɪ /

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

spermaceti

/ spûr′mə-sē′tē /

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.

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

C15: from Medieval Latin sperma cētī whale's sperm, from sperma sperm ¹+ Latin cētus whale, from Greek kētos

Spermaceti is a perfectly definite chemical body, which can be recognised without chance of error.

Spermaceti is pulverised as camphor, by the aid of a few drops of spirit.

Spermaceti candles of definite size form the measure of electric light, giving rise to the phrase "of so many candle-power."

Spermaceti, the solid waxy body carried round in the Cachalot's head in solution, is a valuable whale-product.

Spermaceti is identical in its physical properties with paraffine, and the latter is now almost universally its substitute.

Browse