spermaceti

[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.
Also called cetaceum.
Origin
1425-75; late Middle English sperma cete < Medieval Latin sperma cētī sperm of whale (see sperm1, cet-)
Related forms
spermacetilike, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for spermaceti

spermaceti

/ˌspɜːməˈsɛtɪ; -ˈsiːtɪ/
noun
1.
a white waxy substance obtained from oil from the head of the sperm whale: used in cosmetics, candles, ointments, etc
Word Origin
C15: from Medieval Latin sperma cētī whale's sperm, from spermasperm1 + Latin cētus whale, from Greek kētos
spermaceti in Science
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.
Encyclopedia Article for spermaceti

a wax, liquid at body temperature, obtained from the head of a sperm whale or bottlenose whale. Spermaceti was used chiefly in ointments, cosmetic creams, fine wax candles, pomades, and textile finishing; later it was used for industrial lubricants. The substance was named in the mistaken belief that it was the coagulated semen of the whale

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