ceruse
9.9
A white lead pigment once used in cosmetics and painting that is poisonous
- noun
- /səˈruːz/
- Archaic
:
cerusa
- The most popular white makeup was known as ceruse and was made with white lead pigment.
Examples
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Artists often preferred ceruse for its bright white hue, despite its toxic properties.
-
The historical use of ceruse in cosmetics has been replaced by safer alternatives due to its health risks.
-
In the 18th century, many women used a face powder called ceruse that contained lead for a pale complexion.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A poisonous white pigment made from a heavy metal and used in older paints
is used in cosmetics as well and is identified as poisonous
8.9
A white poisonous powder that contains lead and was used to make paint
is a pigment used in cosmetics and painting rather than a pure chemical
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ceruse comes from the old Latin word cerussa, which meant 'white lead', a pale paint once used in makeup and in paintings. Because people used it to make faces very pale and painters used it for white areas, ceruse today means the white lead pigment, which is now known to be poisonous.