ambergris

am·ber·gris

A0242100 (ăm′bər-grĭs′, -grēs′)n. A waxy grayish substance from the intestines of sperm whales that was used as a fixative and a fragrance in the manufacture of perfumes. It is found floating at sea or washed ashore and was formerly extracted from whale carcasses.

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[Middle English, from Old French ambre gris : ambre, amber; see amber + gris, gray; see grisaille.]

ambergris

(ˈæmbəˌɡriːs; -ˌɡrɪs) n (Biochemistry) 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[C15: from Old French ambre gris grey amber]

am•ber•gris

(ˈæm bərˌgris, -grɪs)

n. an opaque, ash-colored secretion of the sperm whale intestine, usu. found floating on the ocean or cast ashore: used in perfumery. [1375–1425; late Middle English imbergres < Middle French ambre gris literally, gray amber]

am·ber·gris

(ăm′bər-grĭs′, ăm′bər-grēs′) A grayish, waxy material formed in the intestines of sperm whales, often found floating at sea or washed ashore. It is used to make perfumes.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ambergris - waxy substance secreted by the sperm whale and found floating at sea or washed ashore; used in perfumeanimal product - a product made from animal material

Translations

amberамбра