from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cerate \Ce"rate\, n. [L. ceratum, ceratm, fr. cera wax.] (Med.)
An unctuous preparation for external application, of a
consistence intermediate between that of an ointment and a
plaster, so that it can be spread upon cloth without the use
of heat, but does not melt when applied to the skin.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Cerate consists essentially of wax (for which resin or
spermaceti is sometimes substituted) mixed with oil,
lard, and various medicinal ingredients. The cerate
(formerly called simple cerate) of the United States
Pharmacopoeia is a mixture of three parts of white wax
and seven parts of lard.
[1913 Webster]