In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
SPERMACETI
spermaceti
(noun) a white waxy substance from oil of the sperm whale
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
from Greek sperma meaning "seed", and ceti, the genitive form of "whale"
Noun
spermaceti (uncountable)
A wax obtained from the head of sperm whales and used to make cosmetics etc.
Anagrams
• imprecates
Source: Wiktionary
Sper`ma*ce"ti, n. Etym: [L. sperma sperm + cetus,gen. ceti, any large sea animal, a whale, Gr. Sperm, Cetaceous.]
Definition: A white waxy substance obtained from cavities in the head of the sperm whale, and used making candles, oilments, cosmetics, etc. It consists essentially of ethereal salts of palmitic acid with ethal and other hydrocarbon bases. The substance of spermaceti after the removal of certain impurities is sometimes called cetin. Spermaceti whale (Zoöl.), the sperm whale.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Word of the Day
4 February 2025
DISKETTE
(noun) a small plastic magnetic disk enclosed in a stiff envelope with a radial slit; used to store data or programs for a microcomputer; “floppy disks are noted for their relatively slow speed and small capacity and low price”
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