sper·ma·ce·ti (spûr m -s  t, -s t)n. pl. sper·ma·ce·tis A white, waxy substance consisting of various esters of fatty acids, obtained from the head of the sperm whale or another cetacean and used for making candles, ointments, and cosmetics. [Middle English, from Medieval Latin spermac t : Late Latin sperma, semen; see sperm1 + Latin ct, genitive of ctus, whale; see Cetus.] |
spermaceti [ˌspɜːməˈsɛtɪ -ˈsiːtɪ]
n
(Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) a white waxy substance obtained from oil from the head of the sperm whale: used in cosmetics, candles, ointments, etc.
[from Medieval Latin sperma cētī whale's sperm, from sperma sperm1 + Latin cētus whale, from Greek kētos]
| spermaceti (spûrm-st) 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. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | spermaceti - a white waxy substance from oil of the sperm whale wax - any of various substances of either mineral origin or plant or animal origin; they are solid at normal temperatures and insoluble in water |
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