ambergris
/'æmbəgri:s/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A waxy substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales: Ambergris is a solid, waxy, flammable material that originates in the intestines of the sperm whale. It is found floating in tropical seas or washed up on coastlines.
- A valuable fixative in perfumery: Historically and in modern luxury perfumery, ambergris is highly prized for its ability to fix and enhance the scent of perfumes, giving them a longer-lasting fragrance.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The beachcomber discovered a rare piece of ambergris on the shore.
- High-end perfumes sometimes contain natural ambergris as a fixative.
Advanced Usage
- "Floating gold": A poetic or colloquial term for ambergris, referencing its high value and the way it is found at sea.
- For centuries, sailors considered ambergris to be floating gold.
Variants and Related Words
- Ambrein (n): The principal odorless compound found in ambergris, which develops its characteristic scent upon exposure to air and sunlight.
Synonyms
- None direct: There is no common single-word synonym. It is often described as "whale vomit" or "whale secretion," though these are imprecise and informal terms.
Related Phrases
- None specific: Ambergris does not commonly form part of standard English phrasal verbs or idioms due to its specific, technical nature.
Noun
- waxy substance secreted by the sperm whale and found floating at sea or washed ashore; used in perfume