Definition

A white, waxy substance found in the heads of certain whales, used in making candles, ointments, and cosmetics.

Example

Spermaceti was once highly valued for its use in high-quality candles.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of spermaceti?

Yeah, I learned about it in school; it's from whales, right?

Exactly! It's pretty fascinating how they used to make candles with spermaceti.

I know! It's interesting to think about how they used natural resources like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Spermaceti** → The word is derived from the Greek "sperma" (meaning seed) and "ketos" (meaning whale). It refers to a waxy substance found in the head of sperm whales, originally thought to be a form of whale seed. The term reflects the historical belief about the substance's origin from the whale.

Memory Tip

Think of 'seed' ('sperma') and 'whale' ('ketos') to remember that spermaceti is a substance associated with sperm whales.

Visually Confused Words