A peculiar fatty, waxy substance, chiefly cetin (cetyl palmitate), obtained from the head of the sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus; used to impart firmness to ointment bases. SYN: cetaceum. [sperma- + G. ketos, whale]
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sper·ma·ce·ti .spər-mə-'sēt-ē, -'set- n a waxy solid obtained from the oil of cetaceans and esp. sperm whales and used esp. formerly in pharmacology as a constituent of ointments
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sper·ma·ceti (spur″mə-setґe) [Gr. sperma seed + kētos whale] a waxy substance obtained from the head of the sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, occurring as white, somewhat translucent, slightly unctuous masses, having a crystalline fracture and a pearly luster; used in the preparation of ointment bases.Medical dictionary. 2011.