I.waxen, of wax.
I. Prop., Cic. N. D. 3, 12, 30: “effigies,” Hor. S. 1, 8, 30: “imago,” id. ib. 1, 8, 43; id. Epod. 17, 76; cf. id. Ep. 2, 1, 265: “castra,” cells of wax, honey-comb, Verg. A. 12, 589; cf. “regna,” waxen realms, id. G. 4, 202: “simul acra,” Ov. H. 6, 91.—
B. Subst.: cē-rĕus , i, m. (sc. funis), a waxlight, wax taper, Plaut. Curc. 1, 1, 9; Cic. Off. 3, 20, 80; Sen. Ep. 122, 10; id. Brev. Vit. 20, 5; id. Tranq. 11, 7. Such waxlights were brought by clients to their patrons as presents at the time of the Saturnalia, Fest.s.v. cereos, p. 54 Müll.; Macr. S. 1, 7 and 11; Mart. 5, 18.—
II. Meton.
A. Wax-colored: “pruna,” Verg. E. 2, 53; cf. Ov. M. 13, 818: “abolla,” Mart. 4, 53: “turtur,” id. 3, 58: “cerei coloris electrum,” Plin. 37, 2, 11, § 33.—*
B. Pliant, soft, like wax: “bracchia Telephi,” Hor. C. 1, 13, 2.—Hence,
C. Trop., easily moved or persuaded: “cereus in vitium flecti,” Hor. A. P. 163.
