ambergris

views updated May 29 2018

ambergris a wax-like substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas. It is soft, black, and unpleasant-smelling when fresh, slowly becoming harder, paler, and sweeter-smelling, and used in perfume manufacture.

The word comes (in late Middle English) from Old French ambre gris ‘grey amber’, as distinct from ambre jaune ‘yellow amber’ (the resin).

ambergris

views updated May 17 2018

am·ber·gris / ˈambərˌgris; -ˌgrē(s)/ • n. a waxlike substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture.

ambergris

views updated May 23 2018

ambergris wax-like substance found floating in tropical seas, and in the intestines of the sperm whale. XV. — (O)F. ambre gris ‘grey amber’; this is the orig. sense of amber (cf. preco), the word gris being added to distinguish the cetaceous secretion.

ambergris

views updated May 29 2018

ambergris Musky, waxy solid formed in the intestine of a sperm whale. It is used in perfumes as a fixative for the scent.