cēreus, a, um, adj. cera, waxen, of wax. 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.

— Subst.: cē-reus, 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 Mull.; Macr. S. 1, 7 and 11; Mart. 5, 18.

— Meton. 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.

—* Pliant, soft, like wax: bracchia Telephi, Hor. C. 1, 13, 2.

—Hence, Trop., easily moved or persuaded: cereus in vitium flecti, Hor. A. P. 163.