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

Examples of spermaceti in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In part because there are now better sources of fuel and light than rendered blubber or spermaceti. —Wayne Pacelle, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2015

But based on the financial success of its previous voyages in search of sperm oil—a high-quality lighting oil derived from the spermaceti organ in the head of the sperm whale—it was considered a desirable, even lucky, ship by local whalers. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

As recently as the nineteen-seventies, General Motors used spermaceti in its transmission fluid. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023

People harvested the baleen, blubber, bone, meat, oil, and spermaceti. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2023

The animals were particularly prized for their spermaceti, the waxy oil that fills their gigantic heads. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023

The whales’ names are derived from a semi-liquid waxy substance found in their heads — known as spermaceti — that was once used for lubrication and lamp fuel, according to the National Wildlife Federation. —Saumya Gupta, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spermaceti

• betty
• chetty
• jetty
• petit
• sweaty
• yeti
• confetti
• libretti
• spaghetti

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