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Webster 1913 Edition


Spermaceti

Sperˊma-ce′ti

,
Noun.
[L.
sperma
sperm +
cetus
,gen.
ceti
, any large sea animal, a whale, Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK]. 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.
Spermaceti whale
(Zool.)
,
the sperm whale.

Definition 2024


spermaceti

spermaceti

English

Noun

spermaceti (uncountable)

  1. A wax obtained from the head of sperm whales. It is used to make cosmetics etc.

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