\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.
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.