ambergris
[ am-ber-grees, -gris ]
/ ˈæm bərˌgris, -grɪs /
noun
an opaque, ash-colored secretion of the sperm whale intestine, usually found floating on the ocean or cast ashore: used in perfumery.
Origin of ambergris
1375–1425; < Middle French
ambre gris gray amber (see
amber); replacing late Middle English
imbergres
Words nearby ambergris
amber alert,
amber fluid,
amber gambler,
amber islands,
amberfish,
ambergris,
amberina,
amberjack,
amberoid,
ambi-,
ambiance
Example sentences from the Web for ambergris
British Dictionary definitions for ambergris
ambergris
/ (ˈæmbəˌɡriːs, -ˌɡrɪs) /
noun
a waxy substance consisting mainly of cholesterol secreted by the intestinal tract of the sperm whale and often found floating in the sea: used in the manufacture of perfumes
Word Origin for ambergris
C15: from Old French
ambre gris grey amber
Scientific definitions for ambergris
ambergris
[ ăm′bər-grĭs′, -grēs′ ]
A yellow, gray, or black waxy material formed in the intestines of sperm whales that consists of a mixture of steroid derivatives. It is often found floating at sea or washed ashore, has a pleasant odor, and is added to perfumes as a fixative to slow down the rate of evaporation.