DICTIONARIES

The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology -

Originally from the French ambre (amber) possibly initially derived from the Arabic 'anbar (ambergris). The original meaning of the word amber was ambergris. The modern word is derived from the French ambre gris (gray amber, ambergris) in distinction to ambre jaune (Prussian amber, yellow amber or true amber). The English and French confusion over the terms may have arisen early since both raw substances are relatively similar in appearance, with the exception of color, are rare, are costly and are found on or along seacoasts.

Oxford English Dictionary -

Ambergris

From the French ambre gris (gray amber, ambergris). To this substance the word amber originally referred. Spelling variants may owe their origins to confused attempts to describe the substance as greasy in feel or as coming from Greece or to associate it with amber (yellow amber), itself.

Reported variants are:

ambar	ambergrease	ambergriese	ambregris
ambargrece	ambergrece	ambergrise	grease of amber
ambargris	ambergreece	ambra	gris-amber
amber	ambergreese	ambragresia	imbergres

Also related are:

Amber -

Originally - ambergris, also, to perfume with ambergris.

Amber Pear -

An old variety of pear, Pyrus communis, known as the ambrette which smells faintly of ambergris.

Amber Tree -

A tree of the genus Anthospermum the leaves of which when crushed smell of ambergris.

Amber-Fish -

A colorful carangid fish, Seriola carolinensis, of the Gulf Stream and Caribbean waters possibly associated with finds of ambergris.

Amberjack -

A colorful carangid fish, Seriola dumerili, of tropical Atlantic waters possibly associated with finds of ambergris.

Ambra -

From the German die Ambra [ambergris] - a rare form for ambergris.

Ambracan -

From the Italian ambracane [ambergris] - a rare form for ambergris.

Ambreic -

Of or pertaining to ambergris.

Ambrette -

An old variety of pear, Pyrus communis, amber pear, with a faint odor of ambergris.

Random House Dictionary of the English Language -

Ambergris

Derived from the French ambre gris (gray amber). The word amber originally meant ambergris and was initially derived from the Arabic word 'anbar (ambergris) but was confused with true amber which is also rare, is also found along coasts and may be similar in appearance.

Roget's Thesaurus -

Entry 356: OIL

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