Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - sperm

n. (pl. same or sperms) 1 = SPERMATOZOON. 2 the male reproductive fluid containing spermatozoa; semen. 3 = sperm whale. 4 = SPERMACETI. 5 = sperm oil. Phrases and idioms sperm bank a supply of semen stored for use in artificial insemination. sperm count the number of spermatozoa in one ejaculation or a measured amount of semen. sperm oil an oil obtained from the head of a sperm whale, and used as a lubricant. sperm whale a large whale, Physeter macrocephalus, hunted for the spermaceti and sperm oil contained in its bulbous head, and for the ambergris found in its intestines: also called CACHALOT. Etymology: ME f. LL sperma f. Gk sperma -atos seed f. speiro sow: in sperm whale an abbr. of SPERMACETI