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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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]