sperm whale

sperm whale

n.

1. A very large toothed whale (Physeter macrocephalus syn. P. catodon) formerly hunted for the spermaceti in its massive head and the ambergris in its intestines. Also called cachalot.

2. Either of two small toothed whales (Kogia breviceps or K. sima) also containing spermaceti in the head.

sperm whale

n

(Animals) a large toothed whale, Physeter catodon, having a square-shaped head and hunted for sperm oil, spermaceti, and ambergris: family Physeteridae. Also called: cachalot

[C19: short for spermaceti whale]

sperm′ whale`

n.

a large, square-headed, toothed whale, Physeter catodon, having a cavity in the head that contains sperm oil and spermaceti.

[1825–35]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

sperm whale - large whale with a large cavity in the head containing spermaceti and oil; also a source of ambergris cachalot, Physeter catodon, black whale toothed whale - any of several whales having simple conical teeth and feeding on fish etc. genus Physeter, Physeter - type genus of the Physeteridae

Translations

Pottwal

cachalot

capodoglio

sperm whale

n → capodoglio