Spermaceti whale

Spermaceti whale
Spermaceti Sper`ma*ce"ti, n. [L. sperma sperm + cetus,gen. ceti, any large sea animal, a whale, Gr. ???. See {Sperm}, {Cetaceous}.] A white waxy substance obtained from cavities in the head of the sperm whale, and used making candles, oilments, cosmetics, etc. It consists essentially of ethereal salts of palmitic acid with ethal and other hydrocarbon bases. The substance of spermaceti after the removal of certain impurities is sometimes called cetin. [1913 Webster]

{Spermaceti whale} (Zo["o]l.), the sperm whale. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • spermaceti whale — Sperm whale Sperm whale (Zo[ o]l.) A very large toothed whale ({Physeter macrocephalus}), having a head of enormous size. The upper jaw is destitute of teeth. In the upper part of the head, above the skull, there is a large cavity, or case,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spermaceti-whale — n. Cachelot, sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • Spermaceti — Sper ma*ce ti, n. [L. sperma sperm + cetus,gen. ceti, any large sea animal, a whale, Gr. ???. See {Sperm}, {Cetaceous}.] A white waxy substance obtained from cavities in the head of the sperm whale, and used making candles, oilments, cosmetics,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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