ambergris

3 definitions found

ambergris - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Ambergris \Am"ber*gris\ ([a^]m"b[~e]r*gr[=e]s), n. [F. ambre
     gris, i. e., gray amber; F. gris gray, which is of German
     origin: cf. OS. gr[^i]s, G. greis, gray-haired. See Amber.]
     A substance of the consistence of wax, found floating in the
     Indian Ocean and other parts of the tropics, and also as a
     morbid secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale
     (Physeter macrocephalus), which is believed to be in all
     cases its true origin. In color it is white, ash-gray,
     yellow, or black, and often variegated like marble. The
     floating masses are sometimes from sixty to two hundred and
     twenty-five pounds in weight. It is wholly volatilized as a
     white vapor at 212[deg] Fahrenheit, and is highly valued in
     perfumery. --Dana.
     [1913 Webster]

ambergris - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  ambergris
      n 1: waxy substance secreted by the sperm whale and found
           floating at sea or washed ashore; used in perfume

ambergris - Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 :

  29 Moby Thesaurus words for "ambergris":
     ambrosia, aromatic, aromatic gum, aromatic water, attar,
     attar of roses, balm, balm of Gilead, balsam, bay oil,
     bergamot oil, champaca oil, civet, essence, essential oil, extract,
     fixative, heliotrope, jasmine oil, lavender oil, musk, myrcia oil,
     myrrh, parfum, perfume, perfumery, rose oil, scent, volatile oil