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spermaceti

Syllabification: (sper·ma·cet·i)

Pronunciation: /ˌspərməˈsetē/

Definition of spermaceti

noun

a white waxy substance produced by the sperm whale, formerly used in candles and ointments. It is present in a rounded organ in the head, where it focuses acoustic signals and aids in the control of buoyancy.

Origin:

late 15th century: from medieval Latin, from late Latin sperma 'sperm' + ceti 'of a whale' (genitive of cetus, from Greek kētos 'whale'), from the belief that it was whale spawn