sperm whale


noun

a large, square-snouted whale, Physeter catodon, valued for its oil and spermaceti: now reduced in number and rare in some areas.

Origin of sperm whale

First recorded in 1825–35

British Dictionary definitions for sperm whale

sperm whale

noun

a large toothed whale, Physeter catodon, having a square-shaped head and hunted for sperm oil, spermaceti, and ambergris: family Physeteridae Also called: cachalot

Word Origin for sperm whale

C19: short for spermaceti whale