Cerussa

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A white pigment historically made from lead carbonate, used in painting and cosmetics
2. A toxic substance that can cause serious health issues upon exposure
3. A material valued in art for its opacity and ability to produce a bright white hue

Etymology: Cerussa was the Latin name for white lead, a pigment made by exposing lead to vinegar fumes until it corroded into a white carbonate. Roman writers such as Pliny described it, and Roman women used it as a cosmetic to whiten their faces, a practice that was often ruinous to their health. The word is generally traced to Latin, and it passed into English as a technical term for the pigment and its chemical relatives, so the English form keeps the Latin sense of the paint rather than any broader idea of lead. The Latin word is usually linked to "cera," meaning wax, probably because the pale, waxy look of the corroded lead resembled wax. This connection is a plausible guess rather than a firmly established fact, so it is best treated as a likely explanation.

Synonyms: white lead, lead carbonate, lead white, white pigment, paint pigment