spermaceti

noun

sper·ma·ce·ti ˌspər-mə-ˈsē-tē

-ˈse-

: 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The spermaceti is full of a waxy substance that was originally thought to be the animal’s sperm (hence the name). —

Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2010 The case containing the spermaceti could be used as a battering ram during fights. —

Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2010 Sperm whales have a unique organ in their heads called the spermaceti, and Livyatan’s was particularly large. —

Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2010 So were high-quality spermaceti candles, which slavers would trade for people in West Africa and the Caribbean. —

Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 22 Jan. 2021 As in most parts of the world, the whales in the Gulf were hunted extensively for its spermaceti, a waxy substance contained in the whale’s massive head that was used to make candles or oil products. —

Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 28 Nov. 2020 Sperm whales were hunted for the waxlike spermaceti found in their heads, which was used as a lubricant in looms, trains, and guns, and, most significant, as a raw material in fine candles. —

Amia Srinivasan, The New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2020 The Soviet military needed spermaceti, because Western embargoes cut off its access to synthetic substitutes. —

Amia Srinivasan, The New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2020 General Motors used spermaceti in its transmission fluid until 1973. —

Amia Srinivasan, The New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spermaceti.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of spermaceti was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Spermaceti.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spermaceti. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

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Kids Definition

spermaceti

noun

sper·ma·ce·ti ˌspər-mə-ˈsēt-ē

-ˈset-

: a waxy solid obtained from the oil of some sea-dwelling mammals and especially the sperm whale and used mostly in the past in ointments, cosmetics, and candles

Medical Definition

spermaceti

noun

sper·ma·ce·ti ˌspər-mə-ˈsēt-ē

-ˈset-

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