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ceruse
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ceruse

Ceruse \Ce"ruse\, n. [F. c['e]ruse, L. cerussa.]

  1. White lead, used as a pigment. See White lead, under White.

  2. A cosmetic containing white lead.

    To distinguish ceruse from natural bloom.
    --Macaulay.

  3. (Min.) The native carbonate of lead.

Wiktionary
ceruse

n. white lead, a hydrate of lead mixed with carbonate, formerly used as a white pigment, in cosmetics, and for medical purposes.

Usage examples of "ceruse".

There n'as quicksilver, litharge, nor brimstone, Boras, ceruse, nor oil of tartar none, Nor ointement that woulde cleanse or bite, That him might helpen of his whelkes* white, *pustules Nor of the knobbes* sitting on his cheeks.

There was no mercury, sulphur, or litharge, No borax, ceruse, tartar, could discharge, Nor ointment that could cleanse enough, or bite, To free him of his boils and pimples white, Nor of the bosses resting on his cheeks.

Though in passing I must warn you against the use of ceruse: it may desiccate and wrinkle the deeper layers.