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Two-thirds of simple cerate (processed waxy substance)
Answer for the clue "Two-thirds of simple cerate (processed waxy substance) ", 10 letters:
spermaceti
Alternative clues for the word spermaceti
Word definitions for spermaceti in dictionaries
Wikipedia
Word definitions in Wikipedia
Spermaceti (from Latin sperma meaning "semen", and ceti meaning "whale") is a waxy substance found in the head cavities of the sperm whale (and, in smaller quantities, in the oils of other whales). Spermaceti is created in the spermaceti organ inside the ...
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
cachalot \cach"a*lot\, n. [F. cachalot.] (Zo["o]l.) The sperm whale ( Physeter macrocephalus ). It has in the top of its head a large cavity, containing an oily fluid, which, after death, concretes into a whitish crystalline substance called spermaceti ...
Wiktionary
Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. A wax obtained from the head of sperm whales. It is used to make cosmetics etc.
WordNet
Word definitions in WordNet
n. a white waxy substance from oil of the sperm whale
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"waxy, fatty stuff in the head of certain whales," late 15c., from Medieval Latin sperma ceti "sperm of a whale" (it has when fresh something of the appearance of sperm), from Latin sperma (see sperm ) + ceti , genitive of cetus "whale, large sea animal" ...
Usage examples of spermaceti.
Candles can be and have been made of beeswax, tallow from animal fat, spermaceti from the sperm whale, waxes from various plants, paraffin wax derived from petroleum, and combinations of these things.
Stubb stoutly stood up to his spermaceti supper at the capstan-head, as if that capstan were a sideboard.
It is in the upper part of this enormous head, in great cavities divided by cartilages, that is to be found from six to eight hundred pounds of that precious oil called spermaceti.
For though other species of whales find their food above water, and may be seen by man in the act of feeding, the spermaceti whale obtains his whole food in unknown zones below the surface.
Why, they saw the poor old Fox being fair pulled to pieces by an American frigate that was not only taking her new foretopmast out of her but also transferring what oil and spermaceti she had won - the forehold and perhaps half the main, no more - into another whaler, the Amelia, also from London river.
It was the idea also that this same spermaceti was that quickening humour of the Greenland Whale which the first syllable of the word literally expresses.
It was the idea also, that this same spermaceti was that quickening humor of the Greenland Whale which the first syllable of the word literally expresses.
She shook her head, her face pressed to his shoulder, the smells of orris root and velvet and spermaceti oil filling her nose.
In this book is an outline purporting to be a "Picture of a Physeter or Spermaceti whale, drawn by scale from one killed on the coast of Mexico, August, 1793, and hoisted on deck.