Lewis & Short

cēra, ae, f. [Sanscr. kar-, to scatter, throw away; cf. Gr. κρίνω; Lat. cerno; Gr. κηρός; cf. sincerus],

  1. I. wax, Lucr. 6, 516; 6, 966; Cic. de Or. 3, 45, 177: id. Tusc. 1, 45, 108; Col. 9, 15, 8; 9, 16, 1; Plin. 21, 14, 49, § 83 sq. et saep.; Verg. E. 2, 32.
    In plur., the wax cells of the hives, Verg. G. 4, 57; 4, 162; 4, 241; Col. 9, 15; 9, 7 sq.; Plin. 11, 8, 8, § 118 al.
  2. II. Meton., acc. to its diff. uses.
    1. A. Most freq., a writing-tablet covered with wax, Plaut. Pers. 4, 3, 59; id. Curc. 3, 40; Cic. Div. in Caecil. 7, 24; Hor. Ep. 1, 6, 62; Ov. M. 9, 521; Liv. 1, 24, 7; Quint. 1, 1, 27; 10, 3, 31; 11, 2, 32; Suet. Caes. 83 al.
      Hence, prima, secunda, etc., cera, the first, etc., leaf or page, Suet. Ner. 17; Hor. S. 2, 5, 54; Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 36, § 92.
    2. B. A seal of wax, Plaut. Bacch. 4, 4, 96; Cic. Fl. 16, 37; Ov. Am. 2, 15, 16; Plin. 2, 51, 52, § 137.
    3. C. A waxen image of an ancestor, a wax figure: cera illa (sc. majorum imaginum) atque figura, Sall. J. 4, 6; Ov. F. 1, 591; Juv. 8, 19; cf.: expressi cerā voltus, Plin. 35, 2, 2, § 6.
    4. D. Wax used in encaustic painting, Varr. R. R. 3, 17, 4 Schneid.; Plin. 35, 7, 31, § 49; id. 35, 11, 39, § 122; and 35, 11, 41, § 149; Stat. S. 1, 1, 100.