Relating to or containing cerium, especially in its lower oxidation state; also meaning waxy or wax-like.
From Latin 'cerium' (a chemical element) with the suffix '-ous' indicating a state or quality; also potentially from 'cera' (wax) meaning wax-like.
Cerous compounds glow in the dark and are used in modern electronics—but the word's double meaning reminds us that chemistry still uses medieval wax-related terminology!
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