Venetian ceruse

noun

A form of ceruse variously claimed to be pure white lead, equal parts white lead and barium sulfate, or white lead mixed with water and vinegar, used to whiten skin and dry sores before it was recognized to cause lead poisoning.

Similar
Venetian whitespirits of Saturn
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Meanings

nounVenetian ceruse (uncountable)
  1. historicaluncountableA form of ceruse variously claimed to be pure white lead, equal parts white lead and barium sulfate, or white lead mixed with water and vinegar, used to whiten skin and dry sores before it was recognized to cause lead poisoning.

    Synonyms: Venetian white, spirits of Saturn

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA form of ceruse variously claimed to be pure white lead, equal parts white lead and barium sulfate, or white lead mixed with water and vinegar, used to whiten skin and dry sores before it was recognized to cause lead poisoning.

Similar
Venetian whitespirits of Saturn
Also see
venetian whitewhite lead

Origin

From its supposed origin in Venice.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French céruse de Venise
  • céruse de VeniseTranslations
Spanish cerusa veneciana, cerusa de Venecia
  • cerusa venecianaTranslations
  • cerusa de VeneciaTranslations
  • espíritu de SaturnoTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

Venetian ceruse. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Venetian%20ceruse

MLA

“Venetian ceruse.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Venetian%20ceruse. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Venetian ceruse,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Venetian%20ceruse.

Source: Venetian ceruse on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.