ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈsē]ē, -ˈse], ]t], ]i\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English sperma cete, from Medieval Latin sperma ceti whale sperm, from Late Latin sperma sperm + Latin ceti, gen. of cetus whale; from the belief that it was the coagulated semen of the whale — more at cete
1. also spermaceti wax : a white crystalline waxy solid that separates from sperm oil especially from the head cavities and from the oils of related cetaceans, consists principally of cetyl palmitate and other esters of fatty acids, and is used chiefly in ointments, cosmetic creams, and candles
2. : sperm oil containing spermaceti