See Also: spermaceti(medicine)
spermaceti(dictionary)

alkaline (oh) and spermaceti (iou)


alkaline (oh)



containing an alkali

spermaceti (iou)



spermaceti noun. L15.
[medieval Latin, formed as SPERM + ceti genit. of cetus, Greek ketos whale (from its appearance or the belief that it represents whale-spawn).]
A soft white waxy substance used in the manufacture of candles, ointments, etc., found in the sperm whale and some Other cetaceans, chiefly in a rounded organ in the head which focuses acoustic signals and aids control of buoyancy.
Attrib. & comb.: In the sense 'made or consisting of spermaceti', as spermaceti candle, spermaceti oil, etc.; spermaceti whale (now rare) = SPERM WHALE.
spermacetic adjective (rare) E20.