1
: white lead as a pigment
2
: a cosmetic containing white lead
Examples of ceruse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Male members of the court of Louis XIV in France painted on beauty marks, while Elizabethan Englishmen powdered their faces with ceruse, a toxic mixture of vinegar and white lead.
—
New York Times, 10 May 2021
The oak floors were given a ceruse treatment (essentially a lime wash that brings out the wood’s grain).
—Janice O'Leary, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2021
Even once these side effects were well known, ceruse remained popular for centuries.
—Serah-Marie McMahon, Teen Vogue, 12 Apr. 2019
Which, of course, requires more ceruse to cover up these new imperfections.
—Serah-Marie McMahon, Teen Vogue, 12 Apr. 2019
For thousands of years ceruse was liberally applied to eyes, mouths, and skin.
—Serah-Marie McMahon, Teen Vogue, 12 Apr. 2019
Since most of us don't have flawless porcelain complexions, the Elizabethans — at least those who could afford it — used a product called ceruse, which was a blend of vinegar and, wait for it, white lead.
—Donna Freydkin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2017
This mixture of lead and vinegar that Elizabeth used was known as Venetian ceruse, or the spirits of Saturn.
—National Geographic, 22 Sep. 2016
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New York Times, 10 May 2021
The oak floors were given a ceruse treatment (essentially a lime wash that brings out the wood’s grain).
—Janice O'Leary, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2021
Even once these side effects were well known, ceruse remained popular for centuries.
—Serah-Marie McMahon, Teen Vogue, 12 Apr. 2019
Which, of course, requires more ceruse to cover up these new imperfections.
—Serah-Marie McMahon, Teen Vogue, 12 Apr. 2019
For thousands of years ceruse was liberally applied to eyes, mouths, and skin.
—Serah-Marie McMahon, Teen Vogue, 12 Apr. 2019
Since most of us don't have flawless porcelain complexions, the Elizabethans — at least those who could afford it — used a product called ceruse, which was a blend of vinegar and, wait for it, white lead.
—Donna Freydkin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2017
This mixture of lead and vinegar that Elizabeth used was known as Venetian ceruse, or the spirits of Saturn.
—National Geographic, 22 Sep. 2016
Dictionary Entries Near ceruse
Cite this Entry
“Ceruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceruse. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ceruse
noun
ce·ruse
sə-ˈrüs 
ˈsi(ə)r-ˌüs
ˈsi(ə)r-ˌüs
1
: white lead as a pigment
2
: a cosmetic containing white lead
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