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Webster 1913 Edition

Ambergris

Am′ber-gris

(ăm′bẽr-grēs)
,
Noun.
[F.
ambre gris
, i. e., gray amber; F.
gris
gray, which is of German origin: cf. OS.
grîs
, 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° Fahrenheit, and is highly valued in perfumery.
Dana.

Webster 1828 Edition

Ambergris

AM'BERGRIS

,
Noun.
A solid, opake, ash-colored inflammable substance, variegated like marble, remarkably light, rugged on its surface, and when heated, it has a fragrant odor. It does not effervesce with acids; it melts easily into a kind of yellow resin, and is highly soluble in spirit of wine. Various opinions have been entertained respecting its origin; but it is well ascertained, that it is indurated fecal matter, discharged by the spermaceti whale, a species of physeter. It has been found in that species of whale, but usually is found floating on the surface of the ocean, in regions frequented by whales; sometimes in masses of from 60 to 225 pounds weight. In this substance are found the beaks of the cuttle fish, on which that whale is known to feed. It is highly valued as a material in perfumery.

Definition 2024

ambergris

ambergris

See also: amber-gris and amber gris

English

Alternative forms

Noun

ambergris ‎(uncountable)

  1. (uncountable) A solid, waxy, flammable substance of a dull grey or blackish color, produced in the intestines of the sperm whale. It is used in perfumes.
    • 1851 — Herman Melville, Moby Dick
      And as for the other whale, why, I’ll agree to get more oil by chopping up and trying out these three masts of ours, than he’ll get from that bundle of bones; though, now that I think of it, it may contain something worth a good deal more than oil; yes, ambergris.

Synonyms

Translations

References

  1. ↑ Mark Morton, Cupboard Love 2: A Dictionary of Culinary Curiosities

Etymology

Old French ambre gris ‎(“grey amber”). Though the term was initially spaced as two words, single-word forms predominated by the 19th century. In the 17th century, folk etymologies interpreting the term as amber grease or amber [of] Greece enjoyed some popularity.[1]

Pronunciation

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