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spermaceti

noun
sper·​ma·​ce·​ti | \ ˌspər-mə-ˈsē-tē How to pronounce spermaceti (audio) , -ˈse-\

Definition of spermaceti

: a waxy solid obtained from the oil of cetaceans and especially from a closed cavity in the heads of sperm whales and used especially formerly in ointments, cosmetics, and candles

Examples of spermaceti in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The family of Walden author Henry David Thoreau, for instance, mixed graphite with bayberry wax or spermaceti, a wax from sperm whales commonly used to make candles at the time. — Jonathan Schifman, Popular Mechanics, "The Write Stuff: How the Humble Pencil Conquered the World," 16 Aug. 2016

First Known Use of spermaceti

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for spermaceti

Middle English sperma cete, from Medieval Latin sperma ceti whale sperm

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More Definitions for spermaceti

spermaceti

noun
sper·​ma·​ce·​ti | \ ˌspər-mə-ˈsēt-ē How to pronounce spermaceti (audio) , -ˈset- How to pronounce spermaceti (audio) \

Medical Definition of spermaceti

: a waxy solid obtained from the oil of cetaceans and especially sperm whales and used especially formerly in pharmacology as a constituent of ointments

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