'Spermaceti whale' definitions:
Definition of 'Spermaceti whale'
From: GCIDE
- Spermaceti \Sper`ma*ce"ti\, n. [L. sperma sperm + cetus,gen. ceti, any large sea animal, a whale, Gr. ???. See Sperm, Cetaceous.] A white waxy substance obtained from cavities in the head of the sperm whale, and used making candles, oilments, cosmetics, etc. It consists essentially of ethereal salts of palmitic acid with ethal and other hydrocarbon bases. The substance of spermaceti after the removal of certain impurities is sometimes called cetin. [1913 Webster]
- Spermaceti whale (Zool.), the sperm whale. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'spermaceti whale'
From: GCIDE
- Sperm whale \Sperm" whale`\ (Zool.) A very large toothed whale (Physeter macrocephalus), having a head of enormous size. The upper jaw is destitute of teeth. In the upper part of the head, above the skull, there is a large cavity, or case, filled with oil and spermaceti. This whale sometimes grows to the length of more than eighty feet. It is found in the warmer parts of all the oceans. Called also cachalot, and spermaceti whale. [1913 Webster]
- Pygmy sperm whale (Zool.), a small whale ({Kogia breviceps}), seldom twenty feet long, native of tropical seas, but occasionally found on the American coast. Called also snub-nosed cachalot.
- Sperm-whale porpoise (Zool.), a toothed cetacean (Hyperoodon bidens), found on both sides of the Atlantic and valued for its oil. The adult becomes about twenty-five feet long, and its head is very large and thick. Called also bottle-nosed whale. [1913 Webster]