\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.
{Spermaceti whale} (Zo["o]l.), the sperm whale.