— spermacetilike , adj.
/sperr'meuh set"ee, -see"tee/ , n. Chem., Pharm.
a pearly white, waxy, translucent solid, obtained from the oil in the head of the sperm whale: used chiefly in cosmetics and candles, and as an emollient. Also called cetaceum .
[ 1425-75; late ME sperma cete sperma ceti sperm of whale (see SPERM 1 , CET-) ]