spermaceti

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a white waxy substance from the spermaceti organ in a sperm whale's head, historically used in candles, cosmetics, ointments, and lubricants

   Whalers refined spermaceti into bright-burning candles and fine lubricants.

From Medieval Latin sperma ceti, literally sperm of the whale, using the genitive of cetus, whale. The name reflects an old mistaken belief that the waxy material in a sperm whale's head was semen; it also gave the sperm whale its English name.

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